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Tuesday 5 March 2019 | 28 Jumada II 1440 www.thepeninsula.qa Volume 23 | Number 7821 | 2 Riyals New Ooredoo tv

Google, Android, Android TV, Chromecast and other related marks Your hero for family entertainment and logos are trademarks of Google LLC. Amir arrives in Vienna on two-day official visit Amir meets Russian Foreign Minister

Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov, and his accompanying delegation yesterday. The Minister conveyed the greetings of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, and his best wishes for the Qatari Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrived in Vienna yesterday on a two-day official visit people of further progress and prosperity. H H the Amir conveyed his greetings to the President and to the Republic of Austria. H H the Amir and the accompanying delegation were welcomed upon wished him health and well-being. They reviewed the existing relations of cooperation between the arrival at Vienna International Airport by Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria, Karin two friendly countries and the areas of their development, in addition to regional and international Kneissl, and members of Qatar’s Embassy in Vienna. developments, especially developments in Syria, Libya and Somalia in addition to the Gulf crisis. Silatech aims at 5 million jobs for youth Qatar, Russia pledge

QNA Geneva, Her Highness reaffirmed extremism,” said Her Highness. is the hope that Silatech offers.” to boost relations DOHA Silatech’s commitment to tackling Her Highness warned that Established in 2008, Silatech, with rising youth unemployment without decent livelihood oppor- the help of over 300 partners, has SACHIN KUMAR crises through peaceful means H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, through economic and social tunities and meaningful work successfully empowered more THE PENINSULA and dialogue. He added that the Chairperson of Silatech and UN empowerment, particularly in frustrated youth become socially, than one million young people talks with the Russian side dealt Sustainable Development Goals developing regions with increas- politically and economically with economic opportunities and Qatar and the Russian Federation with the exchange of views on Advocate, announced that youth ingly young populations. excluded, exacerbating pressing jobs in 17 countries. affirmed yesterday their intention the developments achieved, will receive three million At 30 percent, youth unem- global challenges like poverty, H H Sheikha Moza also par- to strengthen their relations in whether in the political solution employment opportunities ployment in the Arab region is cur- social unrest, and illegal mass ticipated in a panel where Her several fields and to enhance joint or on the ground with regard to globally by 2022, calling for more rently one of the highest in the migration. Highness discussed some of the cooperation, especially in the Syrian crisis, where it was partners to help raise that number world, compared to 13 percent glo- “Young men and women need challenges Silatech programs face, economic and trade fields. stressed the position of Qatar to five million. bally. “Without meaningful work, the chance to earn a living that will including regional instability and Doha and Moscow stressed supporting that the political During the high-level event, our young men and women have allow them to support their fam- economic exclusion. As a solution, their concord on several solution agreed upon by the “Empowering Youth, Transforming no hope for the future, leaving ilies, contribute to society, and Her Highness stressed the impor- regional and global issues, par- Syrian people is the only Societies,” hosted by Silatech at the them more vulnerable to radical- build better futures,” tance of investing in both edu- ticularly with regard to the need solution to end the Syrian crisis. International Conference Centre ization, violence, and political Her Highness continued. “This cation and employment. `P2 for dialogue to resolve any H E Sheikh Mohamed bin existing crisis through political Abdulrahman said that the dis- and diplomatic endeavours. cussions also touched on Libya Deputy Prime Minister and and the necessity of establishing Minister of Foreign Affairs security and that there should H E Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdul- be one government and one rahman Al Thani said yesterday army, pointing out that the in a joint press conference, held Qatari and Russian sides agreed at Amiri Diwan, with the Min- to support Skhirat agreement ister of Foreign Affairs of the and its outputs and Qatar’s Russian Federation, Sergey support to the Government of Lavrov, that he had held con- National Accord resulting from structive discussions with the this agreement. Russian minister on all regional He also said that the two and international issues. sides exchanged views on the H E the Deputy Prime Min- Palestinian issue and the peace H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Silatech, ister and Minister of Foreign process, and joint efforts to end during a panel discussion on “Empowering Youth, Affairs added that there was a the division between Pales- Transforming Societies”, in Geneva, yesterday. common vision for resolving tinians. `P3 Nod for 2019-20 Qatar, EU sign Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement THE PENINSULA Council (GCC) member state, the Executive Akbar Al Baker and widening the partnership with school calendar DOHA agreement allows for open air- Qatari Ambassador to Belgium EU countries and developing our space between Qatar and all the Abdulrahman bin Mohamed Al national carrier’s network, thus THE PENINSULA begin on December 22, 2019, Qatar and the EU initialled a EU member states with unlimited Khulaifi were in attendance. supporting economic growth DOHA and will continue until January Comprehensive Air Transport access to their respective terri- “This agreement, which across all sectors,” he added. 2, 2020, while the second- Agreement at the European tories, in addition to daily reflects the EU’s trust in Qatar’s “This agreement,” he noted, Minister of Education and semester break will be from Commission headquarters in shipment flights between the two potentials, will allow for the lib- “is a completion to the pivotal Higher Education H E Dr April 5 to 9 for the same year. Brussels yesterday. Minister of sides. eralisation of the fundamental role the State of Qatar has been Mohammed bin Abdul Wahed The end-of-year break for Transport and Communications The agreement was initialled mobility rights between Qatar playing in developing the global Ali Al Hammadi has approved school staff will start on July 5 H E Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti and by Qatar’s Civil Aviation and EU markets — one of the air transport industry and also the annual calendar of schools and will end on August 20, 2020. European Commission Vice- Authority (CAA) Chairman oldest and largest in the world boosts Qatar’s ranking as one of for the academic year 2019-20. Also under the calendar, President for Jobs, Growth, Abdulla bin Nasser Turki Al in the realm of air transport,” the leading countries in the According to the calendar, school staff will start work on Investment and Competitiveness Subaey and the Head of Unit, said the Minister. region in air transport.” school staff will begin duty on August 23, 2020, for the aca- Jyrki Katainen witnessed the International Transport Affairs, “This will contribute to “The agreement also recog- August 20, 2019, while students demic year 2020-21 and student signing event. Directorate-General for Mobility increasing the mobility, tourism nises the key role our civil aviation start classes on August 25. will attend on 25 of the same The first of its kind between and Transport, Carlos Acosta. and trade exchange between bodies play and their compliance The mid-year break will month. the EU and a Gulf Cooperation Qatar Airways Group Chief Doha and EU capital cities, with global standards.” `P3 02 HOME TUESDAY 5 MARCH 2019

OFFICIAL NEWS Amir meets Chairman of High Council of Libya Shura Council Amir receives message from reviews status of Azerbaijan President DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh judicial seizure Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received yesterday a written message from the Presi- QNA Prosecution. dent of Azerbaijan, Ilham DOHA The Shura Council expressed Aliyev, pertaining to bilat- thanks and appreciation to the eral relations and means of The Shura Council held its esteemed government for its further enhancing and boost- regular weekly meeting keenness and response to its ing them. Minister of State for yesterday under the chair- recommendation in this regard Foreign Affairs H E Sultan bin manship of Council’s Deputy and the measures it has taken. Saad Al Muraikhi received the Speaker H E Mohamed bin During the meeting, the message, during his meet- Abdullah Al Sulaiti. Council discussed a draft law to ing with the Ambassador of At the outset of the meeting, repeal Law No. 6 of 2016 on the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Council reviewed the mem- combating the smuggling of Qatar, Rashad Ismayilov. QNA orandum of the General Secre- petroleum products and the tariat of the Cabinet on the Shura illicit transaction in them. Shura Council Council’s recommendation on After discussion, the Council committee meets status of judicial seizure. approved the mentioned draft The memorandum of the law and decided to transmit its DOHA: The Internal and General Secretariat of the recommendations thereon to the External Affairs Committee Cabinet approved the recom- esteemed Government. of the Shura Council held a mendation of the Shura Council The Council also reviewed meeting yesterday, chaired to rehabilitate and train candi- a report by its delegation par- by its Rapporteur Abdulla bin dates to obtain the status of ticipating in the first plenary Fahad bin Ghorab Al Marri. At judicial seizure. session of the third session of the the meeting, the Committee The memorandum also second legislative term of the endorsed the recommen- included the administration of Arab parliament , held recently Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met yesterday at Amiri Diwan with the Chairman of the dations on the request for legislation in the General Secre- at the headquarters of the High Council of State of Libya, Khaled Ammar Al Mishri, and his accompanying delegation. During the a general discussion on the tariat of the Cabinet to take the League of Arab States in Cairo. increase of traffic accidents meeting, they reviewed the bilateral relations and ways to support and promote them, in addition to necessary measures to prepare The Council was briefed on in Qatar and decided to raise developments in Libya, where the Chairman of the High Council of State of Libya briefed H H the Amir a study on the recommendation the report of its delegation par- its recommendations to the on the latest developments, thanking H H the Amir for the State of Qatar’s position in supporting the of the Shoura Council to include ticipating in the Mediterranean Shura Council. QNA Libyan government and people. H H the Amir affirmed the State of Qatar’s firm stance in supporting the penalty imposed on violators Dialogue Conference 2019, held the unity and stability of Libya. in light of the views of the Public recently in Rome, Italy. Silatech aims at 5 million jobs for youth

H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Silatech’s Board of Trustees, addressing the “Empowering Youth, Transforming Societies,” event organised by Silatech in Geneva, yesterday. RIGHT: H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet. Her Highness also met Prime Minister of Somalia Hassan Ali Khayre. During the meetings, a number of topics of mutual interest were discussed, especially Silatech’s ongoing efforts to empower young people in different parts of the world.

FROM PAGE 1 frustration... and employment emphasised the role of quality employment to give youth a The event included speakers Rights; Hassan Ali Khayre, Prime without education is a false education in shaping youth for chance to become productive cit- and panellists such as Michelle Minister of Somalia; Filippo “Education without dream,” said H H Sheikh Moza. the future, but it must be fol- izens and “the engine of eco- Bachelet Jeria, United Nations Grandi, United Nations High employment can lead to H H Sheikh Moza lowed by meaningful nomic growth.” High Commissioner for Human Commissioner for Refugees. Qatar to attend 50th Session Qatar-Turkey educational of UN Statistical Commission cooperation praised QNA DOHA QNA frameworks, which ensures the pro- DOHA duction of high-quality, accurate data, financial statistics, national accounts, The Minister of National Education of the Republic Qatar will participate in the 50th Session of prices, environmental accounting, indus- of Turkey, Ziya Selcuk, hailed the brotherly rela- United Nations (UN) Statistical Commission, trial statistics, disaster statistics, and other tions between his country and the State of Qatar, which will begin today at UN Headquarters relevant topics. describing them as excellent and witnessing in New York and will last four days, with a The President of Planning and Sta- continuous progress and development in various delegation headed by President of Planning tistics Authority, H E Dr Saleh bin fields. In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) and Statistics Authority H E Dr Saleh bin Mohammed Al Nabit, is scheduled to meet at the end of a two-day visit to Qatar, the Minister Mohammed Al Nabit. with a number of heads of delegations of said that Qatar and Turkey have the common will The agenda of this session includes some friendly countries to discuss the to promote bilateral relations in the interests of several important topics related to data latest updates on the statistical process, the two brotherly peoples in all matters and issues and indicators on the goals of the sus- exchange experiences and learn from suc- of interest. tainable development agenda 2030, and cessful lessons. Also, he will meet with He said that his visit to the State of Qatar was to measure the progress achieved by the head of the UN Statistics Division, the fruitful, during which he discussed with Minister states in achieving those goals agreed director and heads of delegations of of Education and Higher Education H E Dr upon in 2015, in particular, the prepa- United Nations Economic and Social Com- Mohammed bin Abdul Wahed Ali Al Hammadi, a ration of relevant national and interna- mission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the number of topics that will enhance educational, tional reports. Arab Institute for Statistics, the Statistical, and research cooperation between Doha and The session also reviews important Economic and Social Research and Ankara in the fields of public and higher education, reports prepared by the working groups Training Centre for Islamic Countries including education for people with special needs. in the preparation of indicators of (SESRIC) and others. He added that his presence in Qatar also pro- progress, partnerships, coordination and Al Nabat stressed that Planning and vided him with the opportunity to visit a number national statistical capacity-building, as Statistics Authority will continue this year of educational and cultural institutions in the well as reports and working papers on to carry out the modernization of the sta- country, such as schools, universities, museums, linking the basic principles of official sta- tistical system, which it initiated in coop- and centers for the education of people with special tistics with open data that can be made eration with UN organizations and Arab Qatar, Cuba review culture and sports ties needs. He stressed that they all have valuable available to the public to be easily proc- and regional organizations, with the aim potentials and advantages in terms of content, Minister of Culture and Sports H E Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali, met essed using the available technological of building national capacities and pro- methodology, and design. The Minister pointed yesterday with the Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to the tools. viding data on sustainable development out that the next phase will witness more educa- The work of the session is expected of high quality and timely provision to State of Qatar, Eumelio Caballero Rodriguez. They discussed tional cooperation between Qatar and Turkey, to yield fruitful results in decision-making users, as the authority is preparing for the aspects of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of especially with regard to the exchange of experts on several important statistical topics such implementation of the population, culture and sports and means of enhancing and developing them. and expertise in light of the similarities between as the preparation of national data quality housing and establishment census 2020. the two education systems. TUESDAY 5 MARCH 2019 HOME 03 Qatar, Russia pledge to boost relations FROM PAGE 1 Qatar’s reservations about Syria’s the International Support Group The Deputy Prime Minister return to the Arab League, he said for Syria and the United Nations and Minister of Foreign Affairs that the reasons behind the sus- Humanitarian Aid Group, adding stressed the importance of ending pension of Syria’s membership in that many international efforts are this division and seeking recon- the Arab League still exist, and being made in this regard, and that ciliation among all the Palestinian there was nothing new to change there is no need for a new parties. this decision, and we are com- mechanism. On the latest developments of mitted to a political solution in On the visit of the Israeli Prime the Gulf crisis, the Deputy Prime Syria accepted by the Syrian Minister to Moscow, Sergei Lavrov Minister said that there are no new people so that Syria’s seat will be said that the visit discussed the moves regarding the crisis except for a political leadership repre- Middle East peace process. “Pres- those exerted by the Amir of senting the Syrian people. ident Putin emphasized the Kuwait H H Sheikh Sabah Al Commenting about Qatar’s Russian position to overcome the Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, as part efforts to conclude a military deal obstacles to a settlement,” he said. of the efforts to hold a dialogue, with Russia to buy the Russian He also referred to Russia’s along with the efforts of the United missile defence system (S400) and invitation to the parties to a dia- States seeking to end the crisis. the opposition of some countries logue hosted by Moscow without The Deputy Prime Minister such as Saudi Arabia for this deal, conditions, and “Netanyahu and stressed that there are no practical he said that such deals are a sov- President Mahmoud Abbas agreed steps in the crisis or any changes ereign decision of the State of in principle to the proposal and is that prove that there has been a Qatar and no Saudi Arabia or any now before them,” noting that change in the approach and other country are concerned with Russia believes that there will be behaviour of the blockading coun- such issue. no progress in the peace process tries since the beginning of the The Deputy Prime Minister without dialogue. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani crisis, as the speech and the meth- pointed out that there are discus- On the situation in Afghan- with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov, at a joint press conference. odology followed are still the same sions with Russia for acquiring dif- istan, Lavrov said that Russia is fol- since the beginning of the crisis. ferent military equipment and lowing the situation there and is He said that Qatar reiterates there is no agreement currently For his part, the Minister of Qatar and his country, stressing framework of a Gulf tour, noting making an effort to launch a the position it has declared from for the defence systems (S400). He Foreign Affairs of the Russian Fed- the importance of the relationship that the timing of the visit will be process of political reconciliation the beginning and is ready for dia- noted that there is a technical eration, Sergey Lavrov, said that between the Qatar Investment determined later. in this country. “We have been logue if the blockading countries committee which is studying the his meeting with the Deputy Prime Authority and the Russian Fund On the cooperation between accused of having connection with are ready to enter into a positive options available that can benefit Minister discussed the situation in for Investment in the oil and gas the two sides in the technical and the Taliban, and now there is a rational and constructive dialogue. both parties from any agreement Syria and Libya, where both sides sector. He stressed on the military field, the Russian Foreign Russian-US connection on this He pointed out that the continu- reached, and that the Qatari tech- stressed the need to calm the sit- keenness of the Russian private Minister said that an agreement issue and there is no need for ation of the same methodology nical team examines the needs of uation according to international sector to invest in this field, given had been signed between the two international competition. We are and policy are not indicative of any Qatar of military equipment from resolutions and laws. Qatar’s readiness to host the World sides for nearly a year and a half, neighbors with Afghanistan and a solution. Russia, on the basis of an “We also discussed the Pales- Cup 2022, and the role of Russian stressing the parties’ adherence to peaceful solution to the crisis must The Deputy Prime Minister agreement between both parties tinian issue and the peace process, expertise in organizing such this agreement, and “in the event be reached.” pointed out that the talks with the in this regard. where we agreed on the need to massive sports events and their of the State of Qatar to apply for a With regard to the Venezuelan Russian minister dealt with the Concerning the talks between resolve it as per international con- willingness to participate in these defence system, the matter will be crisis, the Russian Foreign Minister Gulf crisis and its repercussions Taliban and the United States in sensus, as well as our discussion events. studied in accordance with this stressed the support of his country on the issues of regional security Doha, he said: “we have to be opti- of the Gulf crisis and the need for In response to a question agreement.” to the Venezuelan people, calling in the region, and how these mistic about these talks because calm, taking the Russian initiative about the expected visit of Russian On the formation of a new on the United States to stop the repercussions began to reach of our desire to achieve peace in on common security in the President Vladimir Putin to Qatar, working committee to find a policy of threat and commitment other issues of concern to us and Afghanistan, stressing that peace region.” Lavrov said that President Putin solution to the Syrian crisis, Sergey to the sovereignty and stability of the Middle East. will not come by force, but by dia- The Russian Foreign Minister has responded to the invitation to Lavrov pointed out that there are States in accordance with the In response to a question on logue and understanding.” hailed the depth relations between visit the State of Qatar within the a number of mechanisms such as Charter of the United Nations. Deputy PM meets Russian Foreign Minister Qatar, Britain discuss defence cooperation

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al yesterday met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov. During the Attiyah yesterday met with the British Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Sir Nicholas Carter, and his meeting, they reviewed relations between the two friendly countries and means of enhancing them. accompanying delegation. The meeting discussed bilateral relations between the Qatari Armed The meeting was attended by the State of Qatar’s Ambassador in Moscow, Fahad bin Mohammed Al Forces and their British counterparts. The meeting was attended by a number of senior officers of Attiyah, as well as a number of senior officers of the Qatari Armed Forces. the Qatari Armed Forces. Qatar, EU sign Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement

FROM PAGE 1 for broader “It also recognises the role of Qatar cooperation Airways, which is widely recognized as and one of the best carriers in the world and coordination.” the best in terms of efficiency and quality, This Qatar- while consistently reporting the highest EU Compre- growth rates regionally and hensive Air universally.” Transport The Minister thanked Al Subaey and Agreement pro- Al Baker for their crucial roles and efforts vides a new to conclude the agreement and to all con- level of compe- tributors from the EU. tition for car- Al Baker said; “This historic landmark riers in Europe agreement will offer a host of opportu- and Qatar. Both nities for airlines in Europe and Qatar to parties are collaborate and cooperate together, expected to take ensuring fair access to markets, competing bold steps for market share based on products and through services that the customer wants and is agreeing upon willing to purchase.” the terms and Al Subaey noted the significant role conditions the agreement would play in opening up relating to fair future horizons for broader cooperation competition, the Minister of Transport and Communications H E Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, Qatar between Qatar and the EU member states, environment, Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker, and other officials at the event. as well as boosting their bilateral consumer pro- relations. tection, social With this agreement in place, he said, blockade on Qatar and confirmed that the the significant development Qatar’s air aspects and Qatar could upgrade its mobility rights country is continuing to meet ever more transport industry has been witnessing. enables Qatar Airways to boost its oper- transparency, in addition to an item and increase its cooperation with the EU ambitious targets in the aviation industry, It also fits in our plan for exploring more ational processes; something which helps relating to doing business under which member states in all aviation aspects. which is one of the country’s most active new opportunities to enable our national widen Qatar-EU cooperation and secure Qatar will no longer force European car- He said the agreement was a historic economic sectors. carrier to reach as many destinations as a common ground for airlines from both riers to have a local sales agent to be able event, particularly under the unjust “This event comes in the context of it can around the world. In addition, it parties to explore and find new gateways to operate flights to Doha. 04 HOME TUESDAY 5 MARCH 2019

Qatar, Jordan discuss cooperation Shura Council Speaker holds meetings during APU conference in social development

QNA opment in the Hashemite Kingdom of DOHA Jordan, Basma Ishaqat and her accompa- nying delegation. Minister of Administrative Development, During the meeting, they discussed Labour and Social Affairs, H E Yousef the joint cooperation between the two Mohammed Al Othman Al Fakhro met sides and ways to support and develop yesterday with Minister of Social Devel- it.

The Speaker of Shura Council, H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud, met separately yesterday with the Speaker of the Shura Council of the Sultanate of Oman, Sheikh Khalid bin Hilal Al Maawali; the Speaker of the Parliament of the Lebanese Republic, Nabih Berri; and Speaker of the Council of Representatives of the Republic of Iraq, Mohamed Al Halbousi, on the sidelines of the 29th Conference of the Arab Parliamentary Union (APU), held in Amman under the slogan “Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the State of Palestine”. Discussions dealt with parliamentary relations of common interest and ways of strengthening them. The meeting was attended by a number of members of the Shura Council. Qatar participates in joint meeting of Arab Interior & Justice Ministers Council

QNA Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi. The joint Combating Human Cloning, and the DOHA ministerial meeting discussed the acti- Arab protocol against trafficking in vation of the Arab security and judicial persons, especially women and The State of Qatar participated in the conventions and strategies and deci- children, the supplementary pro- joint meeting of the Arab Interior and sions related to combating terrorism tocol to the Arab convention against Justice Ministers Council held issued by the joint Arab labor institu- transnational organized crime, the yesterday in the sisterly Republic of tions . Arab protocol for the prevention and Tunisia. Several agreements were also control of maritime piracy and The delegation of the State of Qatar signed such as the Arab Convention armed robbery, and the Supple- to the meeting was headed by Minister for the regulation of transplantation mentary Protocol to the Arab con- of Justice and Acting Minister of State of Human organs and tissue, the vention against transnational for Cabinet Affairs H E Dr. Issa bin Arab Convention on Prevention and organised crime. Qatar attends Arab League meeting in Cairo

QNA CAIRO

The State of Qatar partic- ipated yesterday in the 151st Session of the Council of the Arab League at the level of Permanent Delegates under the chairmanship of Somalia as a successor to Sudan, at the head- quarters of the General Secretariat of the Arab League. Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the Arab League Ambassador, Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al Sahlawi, chaired Qatar’s delegation to the meeting. The session discusses Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the Arab League, Ambassador Ibrahim the draft agenda, which bin Abdulaziz Al Sahlawi, at the meeting. includes the report of the Secretary-General on the Palestinian issue, the Arab-Israeli countries from Africa. activities of the Secretariat and conflict, and activating the Arab The draft agenda includes a the procedures for the implemen- peace initiative, in addition to the number of social and cultural tation of Council resolutions Israeli violations in the occupied issues, including support for between 150-151 sessions as well Jerusalem, Arab water security, internally displaced persons in as the draft agenda of the Council Israel’s theft of water in the Arab countries and displaced of the Arab League at the 30th occupied Arab territories, and the Iraqis in particular, and the proc- summit in Tunisia in March. occupied Syrian Golan. lamation of March 28 every year It also discusses issues related The session will discuss as a day to celebrate the Arab to the Palestinian issue and the issues of solidarity with musical culture and permanent Arab-Israeli conflict. This item Lebanon, developments in membership of the State of Pal- includes a number of topics, Syria, Libya and Yemen, support estine in the executive office of including follow-up to the for peace and development in the Council of Arab Youth and political developments of the Sudan, support for Somalia and Sports Ministers. CNA-Q hosts ‘Dare to Lead’ lecture THE PENINSULA Born in the UK Marie has worked overseas DOHA since 1993. She has been based in Qatar for the past seven years. She is the first and only facili- The College of the North Atlantic-Qatar (CNA-Q) tator in the Middle East to be certified in Dr Brené hosted a lecture to promote leadership qualities Brown’s research based Daring Way, Rising Strong, among students, recently. Marie Quigley presented and Dare to Lead programs. ther session entitled ’Dare to Lead’ which is a According to Ms. AlJazzi Fetais, Associate Vice research-based presentation on the factors that President - Student Affairs, “CNA-Q was pleased influence courage in leadership. to host Marie Quigley and to hear her words of Marie is an executive coach, trainer, facilitator, inspiration on the aspects of leading through writer and speaker. She inspires human potential adversity and with bravery. We appreciate the and awareness development by supporting leaders partnership we have had with QAPCO for a number from all walks of life to understand and break of years that makes these learning experiences through their limiting patterns of thoughts and possible.” behaviours and move towards creating new pow- This initiative is supported by Qatar Petro- erful ways of being and doing. chemical Company (QAPCO) . TUESDAY 5 MARCH 2019 HOME 05 Al Muraikhi, Uzbekistan Minister discuss ties Ooredoo’s new ‘IoT Builder’ to boost digital business in Qatar

THE PENINSULA The IoT solutions help businesses use IoT Builder DOHA will be hosted in to have full control over their IoT solutions.” Ooredoo, the region’s leading Ooredoo’s world-class David Milot, Vice-President enabler of digital business inno- Qatar Data Centre, of Solutions for EMEA, Software vation, announced yesterday that which provides strict AG, said: “In a region that is it has launched a new Internet of security and data leading the way in development Things (IoT) platform, IoT Builder, and innovation, having solutions to drive innovations in smart sovereignty. in place to discover and amplify nationwide transformation. the value of data is of strategic The IoT Builder solution, ecosystem, and players in critical importance. Cumulocity IoT pro- running on Software AG’s Cumu- national infrastructure. vides the leading IoT platform locity IoT platform, enables Yousuf Abdulla Al Kubaisi, covering the whole value prop- Ooredooo to develop applications COO, Ooredoo, said: “IoT Builder osition cycle - from data col- and to integrate connected combines integrated real-time lection to device management, devices for its business cus- data analytics visualisation, with real-time analytics and API inter- tomers. Cumulocity IoT is scalable storage and device action with a growing Software AG’s industry-leading security, to drive new digital ecosystem. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, H E Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, met yesterday with the Minister open, independent, and telco- business. This allows data to be of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Abdulaziz Kamilov, who is currently on a visit to Qatar. grade secure IoT platform. We’ve invested in developing deployed at the right time and in During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and ways of supporting and developing them, in The IoT solutions will be this product because we under- the right format to empower addition to the issues of common concern. Non-Resident Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Qatar, Bakhromjon hosted in Ooredoo’s world-class stand that as Qatar’s organisa- people, nations and businesses. Aloev, and a number of foreign ministry officials attended the meeting. Qatar Data Centre, which pro- tions enter the Internet of Things It creates a pathway to smarter vides strict security and data sov- era, they need scalable IT infra- cities, safer societies, better ereignty. Robust security is vital structure to meet their future energy efficiency, increased for the government and public business needs. We have the comfort and authentic MME’s new system for household waste sectors, Qatar’s Smart Cities capabilities and experience to innovation”. collection to add beauty to cities

SANAULLAH ATAULLAH The Director of the THE PENINSULA General Cleanliness The General Cleanliness Department also Department at the Ministry of revealed launching Municipality and Environment of new projects for (MME) plans to provide small sorting out paper trashcans to households in a bid to scrap the existing system of wastes in schools garbage bins placed outside the and government houses to ensure hygiene and to organizations. increase the beauty of the cities. “The project ‘cities sans garbage bins’ will be imple- The Director of the General mented at some areas in Doha Cleanliness Department also on an experiment basis by the revealed the launch new projects end of this year,” Safar Mubarak for sorting out paper wastes in Al Shafi, Director of the General Safar Mubarak Al Shafi, Director schools and government FROM LEFT: David Milot, Vice-President of Solutions for EMEA, Software AG; Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Cleanliness Department, told of the General Cleanliness organisations. bin Nasser Al Thani, CBO-Ooredoo, and Gunther Ottendorfer, CTIO, Ooredoo. The Peninsula. Department. “An awareness campaign He said that under the will be run to educate all seg- project small trashcans of size and Environment, he said, col- ments of society about sorting 240 litres and 360 litres will be lects solid wastes from all over out paper wastes so they could provided to the households. the country free of cost. cooperate with the Ministry in “The trashcans will be kept “General Cleanliness this regards,” said Al Shafi. He inside the houses and they will Department dispatch special said that the General Cleanliness be taken out in front of the vehicles for collecting solid Department will focus on sorting houses at evening for a while wastes like furniture and carpets out wastes from main source, the when the cleaning vehicles of which usually are being placed initial stage of collecting wastes General Cleanliness Department besides the garbage bins,” said in coming days. passed by the areas to collect Al Shafi. “The advanced programmes garbage,” said Al Shafi. He added that such types of will be launched to achieve He said that the project aims wastes increased on the occa- international standard in this at increasing the beauty of cities, sions like holy month of regards,” said Al Shafi. He said ensuring health and hygiene and Ramadan and Eid when people that Domestic Solid Waste Man- protecting the environment. change their furniture. “We are agement Centre at Mesaieed is “The project will be among those working to educate people to the most advanced facility in the unique projects implemented by place solid wastes besides Middle East which converts Qatar in the field of collecting garbage bins not inside it to waste into energy, high quality wastes,” said Al Shafi. avoid damaging the bins,” said fertilizers or recycling The Ministry of Municipality Al Shafi. materials. PHCC launches bowel cancer awareness campaign

THE PENINSULA this campaign will keep can lead up to 90% survival DOHA reminding people to go for rate. The campaign aims to regular screening at one of the increase the screening figures With an aim to strengthen its three screening suites and and encourage people to take outreach towards bowel cancer ensure that they lead a healthy action. awareness and to mark inter- life. To mark the global Bowel national bowel cancer Additionally, to achieve a Cancer Awareness month, the awareness month, Primary rather exemplary growth, our ‘Screen for Life’ campaign will Health Care Corporation centers are working across the include a series of reminder (PHCC) has launched a year to offer Qatari citizens messages urging both men and campaign, ‘I Got Screened & screening appointments as per women, specifically in the Encourage You Too.’ their convenience,” she added. target age bracket of 50-74, Like in previous years, This year’s campaign and inspire them to take a PHCC, through its highly suc- tagline ‘I Got Screened & proactive approach to their cessful Screen for Life program, Encourage You Too’ is a health. aims to enhance its reach to the message from participants who Through this initiative, people of Qatar on the impor- got screened for bowel cancer people are constantly tance of early screening for in the Program’s clinics and reminded that they can carry bowel cancer. would like to encourage others out the Fecal Immuno- Dr Shaikha Abu Shaikha, to do the same. chemical Test (FIT) test with Manager of Screening Pro- People’s experience affects ease in the privacy of their grams at PHCC, said, “Screen others positively and own home and they can for Life is a program by PHCC encourage them to do the same. collect their complementary aiming to educate and raise This message is sent through kit from one of the PHCC awareness on the importance videos that will be posted on screening suites at Al Wakra, of early detection of breast and the Program’s social media Leabaib and Rawdat Al Khail bowel cancer in Qatar. accounts and advertisements Health Centers. Buoyed by the tremendous in the newspapers and screens Patients can get the bowel response we have gained over in malls. screening done at any of the the years, we are confident that As part of the International three screening suites at Al our campaign this year, “I Got Bowel Cancer Awareness Wakra, Leabaib and Rawdat Al Screened & Encourage You month, PHCC is leading a Khail Health Centers by taking Too” is going to be all the more Bowel Cancer Campaign to a prior appointment to avoid impactful and will help Qatar raise awareness on the pre- any hassle. become one of the healthier vention of bowel cancer and To book an appointment for nations across the globe.” advise the public about the screening, call the dedicated “Over the coming months benefits of early detection as it call center on 8001112. 06 HOME TUESDAY 5 MARCH 2019 Al Muraikhi meets outgoing Sri Lankan envoy Qatar and Germany review bilateral ties

QNA DOHA

The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H E Dr Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi, met yesterday with the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Qatar, The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H E Dr Ahmed Hans-Udo Muzel. bin Hassan Al Hammadi, discusses bilateral relations and ways to boost During the meeting, bilateral relations them with the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Qatar, between and ways of Hans-Udo Muzel, yesterday. boosting them were dis- Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, H E Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, met yesterday with the Ambassador cussed, as well as matters yesterday with the Ambassador of Hammadi extended thanks to the of the Republic of Sri Lanka to Qatar, Don Prince Solomon Anura Liyanage, on the occasion of the end of of common concern. the Republic of Sri Lanka to Qatar, Ambassador of Sri Lanka for his his tenure in the country. H E the Minister extended thanks to the Ambassador for his efforts in promoting H E the Secretary- Don Prince Solomon Anura Liy- efforts in promoting bilateral rela- bilateral relations, wishing him success in his future duties. General of the Ministry of anage, on the occasion of the end of tions, wishing him success in his Foreign Affairs also met his tenure in the country. Al future duties. Qatar shares glory of its STEM education system at Kuwait event

QNA Al Khater discussed Qatar’s Al Khater said that STEM’s KUWAIT experience in building the cur- teaching methodology aims to riculum of this system and the enhance the inquiry, verification, The Assistant Under-Secretary mechanism of its implemen- logical thinking, collaborative for Educational Affairs at the tation in schools, how to manage skills of students and to teach Ministry of Education and Higher the school, lessons learned from them to work as a team. As well Education, Fawzia Al Khater, the experience, difficulties and as the development of the pro- presented the Qatari experience ways to address it, as well as gramme in an integrated manner in following the STEM system in training mechanism for teachers enhances the understanding of schools, during a panel and the school administration of educational curricula in relation discussion in Kuwait’s Gulf the STEM curriculum. to these fields, which achieves University for Science and Tech- She also touched on about the the quality of education required nology (GUST), attended by a methodology of the system as an and provides the labour market number of educational and educational input that was with qualified workers in the scientific research officials. developed to prepare students of field of advanced technology. STEM is a curriculum based general education for university She added that STEM is a on the idea of educating students and postgraduate studies in the multidisciplinary approach in The Assistant Under-Secretary for Educational Affairs at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, in four specific disciplines, fields of science, technology, engi- which students learn and apply Fawzia Al Khater (right), speaks at a session at Kuwait’s Gulf University for Science and Technology. science, technology, engineering, neering and mathematics, and the concepts of science, tech- and mathematics, in an interdis- joining a university specialisation nology, engineering, and math- ciplinary and applied approach. linked to these four sciences. ematics by their very nature and cross-reference the definition of each discipline or field related to this science. More than 1,000 DI to share expertise in social inpatients cared for work, psychology with Jordan THE PENINSULA Psychology and Social Work DOHA (SPSW) at the Institute, within at QRI since opening the centres and institutions of Doha Institute for Graduate the ministry specialised in THE PENINSULA prevent or manage a wide range Studies (DI) signed a memo- Jordan. In addition to holding DOHA of illnesses and health concerns, randum of understanding (MoU) seminars, workshops, confer- including stroke, metabolic syn- with the Ministry of Social ences and research of common Since opening its first inpatient drome, high blood pressure, high The gym at Hamad Medical Corporation’s Qatar Rehabilitation Development at the Hashemite interest. unit in March 2017, Hamad cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, Institute. Kingdom of Jordan, covering The MoU also provides sci- Medical Corporation’s (HMC) depression, anxiety, arthritis, and several items to bridge the ways entific and professional consul- Qatar Rehabilitation Institute (QRI) many types of cancer. It can also especially in the case of patients level and type of exercise are right of cooperation between them tations and training for has delivered specialist care to help improve cognitive function. who have had prolonged bed rest for you. The level, type, and and reflected on the employees of the centres and more than 1,000 inpatients By encouraging our patients to and may have lost muscle mass amount of recommended exercise improvement of projects and institutions of the Ministry of through its stroke, traumatic brain engage in regular physical activity or strength. will vary from person to person. work in the agreed research Social Development in Jordan, injury, spinal cord injury, pain while they are part of our inpatient “A stroke can impact how well Your care team can provide areas and related scientific in areas in which the institute management, and paediatric programs, we are helping them an individual sits, moves, balances, advice, modifications, and even activities. specialises and offers them rehabilitation programmes. create healthy habits that we hope stands, and walks. Exercise after recommendations on activities The MoU was signed by within its various colleges and Dr Wafa Al Yazeedi, Chair- they will continue after they leave a stroke can have a dramatic pos- you may not have considered,” she Acting DI Provost, Dr. Yasir centres. person of Rehabilitation at QRI, the hospital,” said Dr Al Yazeedi. itive effect, improving the patient’s added. To reap the benefits of Suleiman Malley and the Min- The signing ceremony was says the hospital’s rehabilitation She said that, exercise can fitness and general health and also physical activity, Dr Al Yazeedi ister of Social Development of held at the DI headquarters, with teams place great emphasis on have a dramatic impact on how reducing their risk of having recommends at least 150 minutes Jordanian, Basma Ishaqat. the participation of a number of encouraging patients to incor- well and how quickly patients another stroke,” said Al Yazeedi. of moderate-intensity exercise The MoU included several deans and programme heads, porate physical exercise into daily recover from illnesses like stroke “For patients with chronic dis- each week. “With their doctor’s areas of cooperation, including representatives of the Jordanian activity as part of their recovery. or heart disease, or from injuries eases like diabetes and hyper- consent, most individuals recov- the exchange of experiences and Ministry of Social Development She says regular exercise can caused by falls or motor vehicle tension, regular exercise is one of ering from injury or illness can experts in the fields of psy- and the Charge d’Affaires of the improve the physical and mental accidents. However, she cautions the best ways to prevent compli- engage in physical activity for chology and social work, field Embassy of the Hashemite effects of injury and disease. that there is a fine line between cations. However, it is important upwards of 30 minutes a day, five training and summer training for Kingdom of Jordan in Doha and “Regular exercise helps to supporting and rushing recovery, to talk to your doctor about what days a week.” students of the School of a number of officials. TUESDAY 5 MARCH 2019 HOME 07 08 HOME TUESDAY 5 MARCH 2019 HBKU to showcase programs at education fair in Turkey

THE PENINSULA DOHA

Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) is to showcase the full breadth of its programs during the annual International Education Fair in Turkey, to be held in the cities of Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir from March 9 to 15. HBKU will set up booths throughout the event, where pro- spective students will be able to Mohammad Abu Zainab, Brain Education Middle East’s program and master trainer, and Shahab Al Rayahi HBKU will conduct several visits in the cities of Istanbul, Ankara, meet with representatives from with participants after the workshop. and Izmir as part of its participation at the International Education HBKU Student Affairs, Office of Fair in Turkey. Enrollment, and faculty members, and avail important and use their degrees to make an the Izmir Fair, Hilton Izmir. Workshop on gut-brain connection held information about the Univer- impact in their local communities On the sidelines of the event, sity’s programs, campus life, and and beyond.” a delegation from HBKU com- SHAHAB AL RAYAHI works independently as well as the human body by preventing potential research The annual event showcases prising representatives from the DOHA in connection to the primary diseases and keeping the gut opportunities. a host of international education colleges, admissions staff, and brain. They are connected to that brain and the primary brain Maryam Al Mannai, Vice- institutions and academic experts relevant organizers will deliver Brain Education Middle East extent that if anything changes healthy. President for Student Affairs at through a series of one-on-one information sessions about the (BEME) organised a presen- to one’s condition, the other’s Brain Education Middle HBKU, said: “HBKU is an aca- sessions, interviews, seminars, University’s programs and activ- tation-cum-workshop on gut- function will alter as well. East’s program and master demic institution that exposes its presentations, and workshops, to ities. Several additional visits and brain connection in a newly The attendees at the session trainer, Mohammad Abu Zainab, students to diverse perspectives assist prospective students to tours are planned at leading uni- opened Alif Café on January 19. attempted a way to heal their gut was the main presenter of the through its extensive programs. make informed decisions about versities in Ankara, Istanbul, and The learning event aided the by using the healing life wand, session. After the presentation, By participating in the upcoming the next phase of their academic Izmir. attendees and café personnel by an acupressure tool especially attendees made pairs using mats International Education Fair, journey. More than 700 students rep- sharing with them ideas and designed to relieve the body and to give and receive the healing HBKU will seek to leverage his- HBKU will have booths set up resenting 55 nationalities are cur- methods on how to change their recover the gut. life wand exercise to one torical and current relations with on March 9 and 10 at the Istanbul rently enrolled in HBKU’s aca- eating habits, how to begin a bal- The healing life wand is used another. Turkey, while introducing pro- Fair (European Side), Hilton demic programs. The University anced diet and stick to it, as well by tapping and applying constant One partner on the receiving spective students to our pro- Istanbul Bosporus; on March 11 is uniquely situated in Education as presenting new biological and gentle rhythmic pressure to end controlled their breathing grams, and inviting them to at the Istanbul Fair (Asian Side), City, providing its students with knowledge on the gut in par- the part of the body in need of while the other used the healing pursue their studies in Qatar. It is Dedeman Bostanci Hotel Con- access to state-of-the-art facil- ticular regarding its significant healing. life wand to tap in circles around our hope that the next generation vention Center; on March 13 at ities, an exceptional learning connection to the brain. The wand greatly benefits the receiver’s navel. of innovators will benefit from the Ankara Fair, JW Marriott environment, and an immersive For instance, over 90% of the small intestine of the body They tapped in a circular our multidisciplinary offerings Hotel Ankara and on March 15 at cultural experience. our serotonin that makes us feel when pressed on the navel. pattern because different points happy and over 50% of our Stimulating the navel is a way to around the navel activate energy dopamine that makes us feel activate the energy system in the system in different areas of the joyful, both important hormones body. The exercise leaves the body so that they could feel com- UCL Qatar students participate in in the body, are released in the center of the body warm and pletely refreshed, at ease, and gut. filled with circulation to aid more lively. The workshop was In order to keep our gut helpful microbes in digestion attended by a number of people. Asian libraries meet in New Delhi healthy, we must exercise the gut that eventually battle against The participants expressed and manage our own stress. harmful microbes. their satisfaction over feelings THE PENINSULA Hippocrates once said: “All dis- A principle for a strong and of happiness induced by the DOHA eases begin in the gut.” healthy body, used in the exercise. Some participants felt What some people do not learning session, was ‘water up, that they were either better at UCL Qatar students have partici- realize is that a human body has fire down’. It means ‘cool head, receiving or at giving. Others pated in the Sixth International a second brain named ‘gut brain’. warm body’ that maintains a said that they never felt alone, Conference of Asian Special This gut brain harmonic and serene balance in even for a moment. Libraries in India on Libraries and Librarianship in Digital Plus Era, as part of the latest international study trip organised by the university. The conference, which took place at Ambedkar University Delhi, exposed students on UCL Qatar’s Library and Information Studies MA programme to the latest technologies and develop- ments in Digital Libraries and Library Science. Students also witnessed the processes behind archiving his- torically significant records and materials during a visit to the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library. UCL Qatar students pose for a group photo at the India Gate in The trip was led by Armin New Delhi. Straube, Teaching Fellow of the Library and Information Studies With the country quickly While in India, the students MA at UCL Qatar, who said, establishing itself as a regional also had the chance to explore the “Through this visit, our students leader in libraries and librar- country, visiting iconic sites such could observe how theory learned ianship, study trips are designed as the Taj Mahal and the India at UCL Qatar can be implemented to equip students with practical Gate of Delhi. on a larger scale. skills that can be applied in the UCL Qatar was set up in 2010 The libraries and museums in workplace and provide them with as a partnership between Uni- Qatar house valuable heritage opportunities to share knowledge versity College London, one of the material and study trips such as with their peers around the world. top ten universities in the world, this help our students broaden Islam Elshahidi, a UCL Qatar and Qatar Foundation. their horizons.” Library and Information Studies During this time, it has The international visit pro- MA Programme student, com- developed a leading international grammes at UCL Qatar are a mented: “Thanks to UCL Qatar for study trip programme to help stu- central part of the university’s giving us this opportunity to gain dents expand their practical expe- commitment to use its interna- in-depth knowledge of our pro- rience and professional networks. tional networks to develop Qatar’s gramme and become more open Previous trips have included visits future workforce. to what the world has to offer.” to Muscat, Istanbul and Berlin. Around 30,000 benefit from Qatar Cancer Society’s awareness activities

THE PENINSULA DOHA

Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) has hosted 216 health education and awareness activities and reached around 30,000 people in 2018. The activities include awareness workshops, training programmes and conferences. A view of QCS’s awareness workshop. These activities have target school and university students, employees of the governmental Dr. Khalid Bin Jabor Al Thani, He stressed that QCS has and private sectors, individuals chairman of QCS said “ Cancer worked over the past 20 years to living with cancer and their fam- awareness, prevention methods expand the base of beneficiaries ilies, health care providers and and early detection are among through activities, services and people with special needs Sheikh the main objectives of QCS. reach all segments of the society. TUESDAY 5 MARCH 2019 MIDDLE EAST 09 Israeli forces US deploys shoot dead 2 missile defence Palestinians system in Israel AFP/RAMALLAH Israeli forces yesterday shot and REUTERS The move comes amid killed two young Palestinians who BERLIN increased tensions carried out a car-ramming attack between Israel and Iran in the occupied West Bank, The US military has deployed its over Israel’s bombing injuring a soldier and a policeman, most advanced air and missile campaign in Syria and police and the army said. defence system in Israel for the comments in which The army said security forces first time, US and Israeli military fired at three assailants, “neutral- officials said yesterday. Iran’s foreign minister ising two of them and lightly The deployment, which said he could not rule injuring a third”, while police began in March, was intended out the possibility spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said to test the US military’s ability of military conflict two of the Palestinians were to rapidly deploy such weapons killed. between the two Israeli forces stand guard next to a destroyed car, after two Palestinian were shot dead, in the occupied around the world, said a spokes- “Assailants ran over a number countries. West Bank village of Kafr Nama, northwest of Ramallah, yesterday. woman for US European of soldiers who had stopped at the Command. side of the road on their way out Israeli Prime Minister Ben- unpredictably to any threat, of the village” of Kafr Nama, Palestinians and vowed to group B’Tselem says on its Hamas in the Ramallah area jamin Netanyahu welcomed the anywhere, at any time,” US northwest of Ramallah, a military fast-track the punitive dem- website. overnight. arrival of the Terminal High European Command said in a statement said. olitions of their homes. “I The Palestinian health min- Meanwhile, Israeli attack heli- Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) statement. “An (army) officer was have ordered that the demo- istry named the two men killed copters yesterday struck Hamas system as a sign of the US com- Lockheed Martin, the biggest severely injured and a border litions of these homes be as Amir Mahmoud Darraj and military positions in Gaza, offi- mitment to Israeli security. US arms maker, builds and inte- police soldier was lightly injured speeded up,” he said. Yussef Anqawi, both 20. cials said, after the country’s “The American THAAD grates the THAAD system, which as a result,” the army said. Israel regularly razes the Kafr Nama’s mayor said that army reported a balloon-borne system is considered among the is designed to shoot down Rosenfeld said that the homes of Palestinians accused troops were leaving the village “explosive device” from the most advanced systems in the short-, medium- and interme- policeman injured in the pre- of carrying out attacks against on foot after a raid to arrest a Palestinian enclave targeted its world, and together with our diate-range ballistic missiles. dawn attack was subsequently Israelis. “House demolition is an Palestinian suspect there when territory. Yesterday’s raid, which defence systems, we are stronger Raytheon, another US firm, released from hospital. administrative procedure. It is the incident occurred. Israel’s resulted in damage to the Hamas in dealing with threats, close or builds its advanced radar. Prime Minister Benjamin carried out without trial and army said its troops had arrested positions but no casualties, was distant, emanating from all areas As part of the deployment, Netanyahu praised soldiers for without any requirement to 11 alleged operatives of the Pal- the third tit-for-tat exchange in of the Middle East,” he said. US forces will work at various having swiftly “eliminated” the present evidence,” Israeli rights estinian Islamist movement as many days. The move comes amid locations in Europe, the United increased tensions between States and in Israel to operate Israel and Iran over Israel’s the system in close cooperation bombing campaign in Syria with the Israel Defence Forces, Turkey urges Muslim states to stand up against Israel and comments in which Iran’s it said. US officials declined to foreign minister said he could say how quickly the system was ANATOLIA pressuring Palestine ‘not to raise President Donald Trump settlement building there as not rule out the possibility of moved to Israel from its home HATAY, TURKEY their voice too much’. Are these sparked international outrage illegal. Later visiting a refugee military conflict between the base at Fort Bliss, Texas. the ones to defend Jerusalem?” when he unilaterally recognised camp in Yayladagi, Cavusoglu two countries. The US military Israeli military spokesman Turkey’s foreign minister said Cavusoglu. Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and vowed to stand up with Syria’s said the decision to rapidly move Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan appealed yesterday to Muslim Cavusoglu also said that the vowed to relocate Washington’s Bayirbucak Turkmen population. the THAAD system to Israel was Conricus said the deployment nations to speak out strongly same countries acted “cowardly” embassy to the city. “When Syria is stabilised, our intended “as a demonstration of differed from previous simu- against Israeli policies against when voting against the US and Israel occupied the West Syrian brothers and sisters, the United States’ continued lated US-Israel joint military Palestinians. Those who refrain Israel at various Islamic summits Bank, including East Jerusalem, including Bayirbucak Turkmens, commitment to Israel’s regional exercises and involved tactical from raising their voice against and UN General Assembly during the 1967 Arab-Israeli will return to their homes in security.” coordination on the ground. Israel cannot defend Jerusalem, meetings in the last two years. War. It annexed the entire city peace.” “THAAD is the most He said all of the compo- said Mevlut Cavusoglu at an Cavusoglu said Turkey was in 1980, claiming it as Israel’s The Turkish foreign minister advanced integrated air and nents of the THAAD system were election campaign event in struggling against many threats “eternal undivided capital” — a said Turkey was exerting every missile defence system in the at an air force base in the Negev southern Hatay province. including terrorism, adding that move never recognised by the effort to find a lasting solution in world, and this deployment desert, in southern Israel, and “We see that those Muslim the stability and peace in Syria international community. Syria. “We will clear east of the readiness exercise demonstrates would soon be moved to an countries which get afraid of the were important for Turkish International law views the Euphrates River from terrorists, that US forces are agile and can undisclosed site in southern US and Israel start faltering. border cities like Hatay. entire West Bank as “occupied there is no other alternative or respond quickly and Israel. There are even some countries In December 2017, US territory” and considers all Israeli option.” Egypt releases US says closing consulate in Jerusalem no policy shift award-winning AP Palestinian affairs unit, under the yesterday in Jerusalem, the to the consulate’s Palestinian and educational exchanges.” photojournalist JERUSALEM command of the embassy. merger effective that day. partners, Consul General Karen When first announced by US The symbolic shift hands “This decision was driven by Sasahara, who is leaving her post Secretary of State Mike Pompeo AFP The United States has officially authority over US diplomatic our global efforts to increase the as the unofficial US ambassador in October, the move infuriated CAIRO shuttered its consulate in Jeru- channels with the West Bank and efficiency and effectiveness of to the Palestinians and will not Palestinians, fueling their suspi- salem, downgrading the status Gaza to ambassador David our diplomatic engagements and be replaced, maintains that new cions that the US was recognising Award-winning Egyptian of its main diplomatic mission to Friedman, a longtime supporter operations,” State Department Palestinian unit at the embassy Israeli control over east Jeru- photojournalist Mahmoud Abu the Palestinians by folding it into and fundraiser for the West Bank spokesman Robert Palladino said will carry forward the mission salem and the West Bank, terri- Zeid was released yesterday the US Embassy to Israel. settler movement and fierce in a statement. “It does not signal of the consulate, “in support of tories that Palestinians seek for after spending nearly six years For decades, the consulate critic of the Palestinian a change of US policy on Jeru- the strengthening of American- a future state. Palestinian official in prison following his arrest functioned as a de facto embassy leadership. salem, the West Bank, or the Palestinian ties, to boost eco- Saeb Erekat called the move “the while covering a bloody to the Palestinians. Now, that The announcement from the Gaza Strip.” nomic opportunities for the Pal- final nail in the coffin” for the US crackdown on protests. outreach will be handled by a State Department came early In a farewell video addressed estinians and facilitate cultural role in peacemaking. The photographer, widely known as Shawkan, faces five years of strict supervision and will be required to spend every Southern Yemenis warn exclusion night sleeping at his local police station, but he vowed to resume from talks could trigger new conflict his work. Shawkan last year received REUTERS Reuters the south needed to be included Unesco’s World Freedom Prize GENEVA in the peace process to avoid further con- for his “courage, resistance and flict if a deal does not satisfy their demand commitment to freedom of A separatist leader from south Yemen said for self-determination. expression”, dismaying the a UN-mediated peace deal that fails to “They will not accept this. And they Egyptian authorities who address the south’s wish for self-deter- will fight again,” Bin Fareed said. “So you accused him of “terrorist and mination would be “dangerous” and could have two choices: start another war criminal acts”. trigger a new conflict. In the war between against them to start another crisis, or to Speaking at his home in the Iran-aligned Houthi movement and understand the aspirations of the people, Giza, he said the first moments Yemen’s internationally recognised Pres- and to avoid any political crisis or unrest of his release felt “as if I was ident Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi, southern in the region. They will likely defend their flying”. Imprisonment was “an forces form part of a Saudi-led coalition interests if they feel their interests are experience that I can never fighting the Houthis. marginalised in the diplomatic process.” forget”, the 31-year-old told As such, the south - where many long The STC has met Griffiths three times said. wanted to secede from the north - is not and he understands their aspirations, Bin New York-based Human included in peace talks mediated by UN Fareed said. “He promised us that we Rights Watch welcomed negotiator Martin Griffiths as a party in will be at the table. But when?” Excluding Shawkan’s release while its own right. Ahmed Omar bin Fareed, a the STC while talks progress on a new deploring the state of jour- senior member of the Southern Transi- constitution, a national government and nalism in Egypt. Yemeni children and female Houthi protesters gather during a rally against the tional Council (STC), the southern sepa- preparation for national elections would “Since Shawkan’s arrest in intervention led by Saudi Arabia in the country, in the capital Sana’a, yesterday. ratist movement’s political body, told be “a difficult scenario for us”. 2013, Egypt has descended further into darkness and sup- pression of a free media,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, HRW’s Iran says Moscow ties ‘strong’, shrugs off Israel-Russia coordination Middle East and North Africa head. AFP/TEHRAN “Iran’s ties with Moscow are Prime Minister Benjamin outbreak of the civil war. We But for Ghasemi, it was just “While we joyfully cele- strong and we are always in Netanyahu stressed the Jewish agreed to establish a joint team another example of Israeli “psy- brate his release, it’s also a Iran’s foreign ministry insisted touch and consult with each state would “not allow the mil- to advance this goal, together chological” warfare. reminder of how far Egypt has yesterday that Tehran’s ties with other,” ministry spokesman itary entrenchment of Iran in with other elements,” Netanyahu Israeli officials “have a habit fallen since 2011,” when an Moscow are “strong” and Bahram Ghasemi told reporters Syria”. said. they cannot quit, and that is uprising toppled longtime pres- shrugged off reported Israeli- in Tehran. “President Putin and I also Russia, which like Iran has lying. (They are) creating a psy- ident Hosni Mubarak and Russian coordination on a with- On a visit last week to agreed on a common goal: the sided with the government in the chological atmosphere to affect stirred hopes of a democratic drawal of foreign forces from Moscow where he met Russian withdrawal of foreign forces that Syrian conflict, has not officially Iran’s relations with its neigh- awakening, she said in a Syria. President Vladimir Putin, Israeli arrived in Syria after the reacted to his statement. bours and Russia,” he said. statement. 10 VIEWS TUESDAY 5 MARCH 2019 Qatari-Austrian relations ESTABLISHED IN 1996 witness sustainable growth CHAIRMAN

SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI QNA

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI he visit of the Amir H H [email protected] Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to the Republic of Austria comes as part of the ACTING MANAGING EDITOR T wise leadership’s strategy and the MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED keenness to keep strong and robust [email protected] communication, cooperation and coordination with states. This serves Qatar’s economic goals and plans, DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR developmental programs, its aspira- MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI tions, and its benefits in various [email protected] fields. The Amir is expected to hold talks with President of the Republic of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen and H E Chancellor of Austria Sebastian Kurz. During the talks, they will touch on the bilateral relations EDITORIAL between both countries and ways to to Austria for treatment. The two Republic of Austria during which boost and develop them in various countries exchanged visits by senior they discussed the bilateral relations fields. They will also discuss a officials who contributed to the pro- between the two countries in various Empowering youth number of topics of common interest. motion and revitalization of bilateral fields and means of supporting them The relations between Austria relations, including the visit of the and developing them. ith an ambitious plan to expand its outreach and create and Qatar are strong, deep, pro- Austrian president in late February With regards to the economy, thousands of new job opportunities for youth, Silatech gressing and continuously growing. It 2009 to Doha, accompanied by a there is a joint Qatari- Austrian desire Wyesterday renewed its commitment to empower young covers many fields, lead by political, high-level economic delegation. The to strengthen ties and to allow for men and women. H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson economic, sports, culture, and same goes for the Qatari side, H E Dr. greater trade and wider opportu- of Silatech and UN Sustainable Development Goals Advocate, tourism Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, nities to attract Austrian investment announced that youth will receive three million employment fields. Qatar who was then Minister of State for to serve the mutual interests of both opportunities globally by 2022, calling for more partners to is also an International Cooperation and Acting parties. In 2003, a Qatari-Austrian help raise that number to five million. important Minister of Business and Trade, economic forum was held in Vienna, During a high-level event titled “Empowering Youth, Trans- economic visited the Austrian capital in under the supervision of the Society forming Societies”, hosted by Silatech at the International Con- partner to November 2009 with an economic for Austro-Arab relations. ference Centre in Geneva yesterday, H H Sheikha Moza bint The relations Austria delegation, giving the bilateral rela- In December 2016, the Diplo- Nasser reaffirmed Silatech’s commitment to tackling rising between Austria and where the tions great impetus. matic Institute of the Ministry of youth unemployment through economic and social empow- Qatar are strong, volume of The visit of the Father Amir H H Foreign Affairs organized a Qatari- erment, particularly in developing regions with increasingly deep, progressing trade Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Austrian Relations seminar where HE young populations. “Young men and women need the chance exchange to Vienna in 2010 inaugurated a new Ambassador of the Republic of to earn a living that will allow them to support their families, and continuously between the chapter in the history of relations Austria to the State of Qatar Willi contribute to society, and build better futures,” H H Sheikha growing. It covers two coun- between the two countries and Kemble was invited. The ambassador Moza bint Nasser said. “This is the hope that Silatech offers.” many fields, lead by tries established broad prospects for affirmed the existence of future In 2006, as a member in the High-Level Group and an political, economic, amounted to bilateral cooperation and the devel- projects and important economic Ambassador in the UN Alliance of Civilisations, H H Sheikha $250 million opment of economic and trade rela- issues to be discussed between the Moza bint Nasser launched Silatech as an international non- sports, culture, in 2015 and tions between the two countries. two countries. profit and non-governmental development organisation that and tourism fields. Austrian Following this visit, Austria He pointed out that there are aims to connect young people with Qatar is also an small and decided to open an embassy in Doha many Austrian companies that are the jobs and resources needed to medium- and on the sidelines of the inaugu- active in carrying out a number of establish and develop their important economic sized com- ration in December 2011, the Austrian important projects which are being projects by offering innovative partner to Austria panies president visited Doha and stressed held in the State of Qatar, including employment solutions in collabo- where the volume began to on the importance of promoting the the Rail project and hospital man- ration with partners locally, of trade exchange find their economic and trade relations agement. In addition to many Aus- H H Sheikha regionally and internationally with way to between both countries, as well as trian competencies participating in Moza bint Nasser a particular focus on youth between the two Qatar, encouraging joint investments the projects preparing for the World reaffirmed employment in countries affected countries amounted whereas between the businessmen of both Cup Qatar 2022. His Excellency also Silatech’s by conflict, economically. In 10 to $250m in 2015 Qatari states. highlighted the integration of many years, Silatech has managed to and Austrian small investments He also affirmed upgrading the Austrians into Qatari society, some of commitment provide more than one million and to Austria level of diplomatic relations to lay the which work in sports and Aspire to tackling 100,000 jobs to young people in and medium-sized continue to foundations of a new strategy for Sports Academy, including those rising youth the Middle East and Africa. companies began grow, espe- cooperation between the two coun- working in aviation and airport unemployment In order to achieve its current to find their way cially in real tries in the economic, trade and security. and future plans, Silatech is collab- to Qatar, whereas estate. investment. The State of Qatar and the through economic orating with more than 300 The In September 2018, Deputy Prime Republic of Austria play effective, and social regional and international partners Qatari investments bilateral Minister and Minister of Foreign distinct and coordinated roles in the empowerment, at the level of governments and to Austria continue relations Affairs, H E Sheikh Mohamed bin service of humanity, international Abdulrahman Al Thani visited Austria security, and peace. The two coun- particularly financial institutions in the coun- to grow, especially between tries in which it operates, major in real estate. Qatar and and met with H E Austrian Minister tries also play roles that seek active in developing international organisations, EU, Austria for Europe, Integration and Foreign mediation to settle disputes and regions with World Bank, UN and its agencies began in the Affairs Karin Kneissl, where they dis- resolve issues in many of the world’s increasingly such as the International Labour 1970s, cussed the bilateral relations and areas of conflict. Both countries are Organisation, UN Counter-Ter- where the ways to boost and develop them as also meeting points for many inter- young rorism Centre, Office of the UN High State of Qatar was one of the first well as a number of topics of national events and conferences such populations. Commissioner for Refugees, UN Gulf countries that initiated the common interest. as interfaith dialogue. In Vienna, Women, UN Development opening of an embassy in Vienna in In November of 2015, another there is a United Nations head- Program, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights 1975, and in the same year a medical round of political talks was held quarters which a hosting site for a and other academic institutions as well as the private sector. office was opened to meet the needs between the Ministries of Foreign large number of international organi- Stressing the importance of investing in both education of many Qatari nationals who travel Affairs of the State of Qatar and the zations and bodies. and employment, H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser said: “Edu- cation without employment can lead to frustration... and employment without education is a false dream.” Her Highness emphasized the role of quality education in shaping youth for Man-made disaster looms over Puerto Rico the future, but it must be followed by meaningful employment to give youth a chance to become productive citizens and “the THE WASHINGTON POST hurricane obviously set debt restruc- brushing aside the board’s argument engine of economic growth”. turing back, but the process has that the Promesa Act appointment Silatech has provided a number of innovative electronic resumed and continues to progress. process was perfectly constitutional in solutions and platforms to connect young people with jobs. As ost Americans know Indeed, disaster recovery and light of Congress’ broad authority to part of its work to promote the youth employment, Silatech Puerto Rico as the scene of financial stability are interdependent. legislate for federal territories such as has supported the establishment and rehabilitation of 272 the worst humanitarian Now, however, there is a man- Puerto Rico. employment and vocational guidance centers in several coun- and economic disaster of made disaster looming, in the form of The court portrayed the board as M an affront to Puerto Rican autonomy - tries. Silatech also supports a research center that conducts our nation’s recent history, Hurricane a Feb. 15 federal appeals court ruling studies and research on issues of economic empowerment, Maria, which devastated the island in declaring as unconstitutional the “more like Roman proconsuls picked employment and unemployment in the Arab world. September 2017 and from which it has financial oversight board that Promesa in Rome” - a flight of political rhetoric yet to recover completely. created. The decision represents a that was especially inappropriate Just before that, though, Puerto strange meeting of the minds between given that the island’s elected gov- Rico had been the focal point of a far a doctrinaire three-judge panel of the ernment, opposition party, major QUOTE OF THE DAY more hopeful development: a rare U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit interest groups and many creditors all piece of legislation enacted by Con- and creditors of the U.S. common- submitted briefs in support of the There are so many gress in 2016 with the goal of prag- wealth - led by hedge fund Aurelius board. French people who matically addressing a real-world Investment and bond insurer Assured Fortunately, the ruling does not love Italy and Italians problem on a bipartisan basis. The Guaranty, which are betting that the retroactively undo the debt restruc- Promesa Act (the acronym equates to overthrow of the Promesa board will turing achieved so far, but it does who love France the Spanish word for “promise”) enable them to demand a better becloud the future, because the court and the French. But admittedly responded to another payout. gave the president and the Senate only suddenly, we almost crisis on the island: its enormous The creditors argued that the 90 days to “reconstitute” the board. forgot that we have debt, made up of borrowings and board and its debt-reduction actions Given the difficulties of dealing with unfunded pension liabilities totaling to date are illegitimate because its the White House and Capitol Hill, that to keep on learning to roughly $130 billion. Yet the basic members were chosen by a special deadline may prove impossible to understand each other. solution - a bankruptcylike debt process, prescribed in the Promesa meet. The board has announced its workout led by a board of financial Act, involving both houses of Congress intention to instead seek relief from Emmanuel Macron experts and supervised by an and the president - rather than by the Supreme Court - which, if it cares French President impartial federal court - offered presidential appointment with Senate about both Puerto Rico’s future and Puerto Rico a chance to reform its confirmation. In a fit of constitutional sensible constitutional interpretation, government and resume growth. The persnicketiness, the 1st Circuit agreed, will grant it. TUESDAY 5 MARCH 2019 OPINION 11 Al Hammadi: Providing education for migrants, refugees is moral obligation

QNA His Excellency said that all schools who wish to work under those condi- New York. He said that there’s a have also completed the facilities, tions, especially in light of the lack of need of a comprehensive approach rovision of education for technical needs, and laboratories the required school environment, His to enhancing the role of Infor- migrants and refugees, who required to create a 100 percent Excellency added. mation and Communications Tech- were deprived of it, is a moral serious learning environment, as well H E Minister of Education and nology (ICT) in education to ensure obligation of those respon- as the preparation and rehabilitation Higher Education Dr. Mohammed bin that all immigrant and refugee P Abdul Wahed Al Hammadi stated that sible and a human duty to all indi- of teachers before service and groups have access to quality edu- viduals and communities. achieved full equality between this report addresses the mechanism cation and are able to move from The wise leadership led by the genders in all stages of public of providing quality education formal to lifelong education Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad education. including teachers and school envi- through educational software and Al Thani firmly believes that edu- H E Al Hammadi said the global ronment, in addition to enhancing means of electronic cation is a human right and a education monitoring report includes diversity and developing skills among communication. necessity for achieving sustainable increasing numbers of migrants and immigrant and refugee students with Meanwhile, Director of the development, which has made edu- displaced people in the world, which multiple classes, languages, and Global Education Monitoring (GEM) The global education cation in the country gain constant is increasing day by day, with the cultures. Report 2019, Manos Antoninis concern and support at all levels. number of migrants reaching about H E the minister also stressed that spoke about the report and made a monitoring report Minister of Education and Higher 763 million worldwide. He said that the State of Qatar has the lead in this presentation in this regard, includes increasing Education H E Dr. Mohammed bin the conflicts and wars in recent years field, in view of its conviction and addressing migration and dis- numbers of migrants Abdul Wahed Al Hammadi, Chairman have led to the displacement of nearly awareness of its humanitarian duty placement issues from the per- and displaced people of Qatar National Commission for 40 million people, in addition to 19 towards the peoples of the world and spective of teachers and education Education, Culture and Science said million due to natural disasters. to help countries achieve the devel- administrators who face the reality in the world, which is progress has been made by the State His Excellency said these numbers opment goals as part of the global of diversity in classrooms, school increasing day by day, of Qatar towards meeting the goals of are facing serious challenges and dif- partnership for the achievement of the courtyards and local communities, with the number of the fourth goal of sustainable ficult environmental conditions goals of the Sustainable Development labor markets and societies. migrants reaching about development. affecting their access to good edu- Plan. He noted that the State had since Antoninis said that education Speaking during the event of the cation. His Excellency added that early supported and provided edu- systems in the world are united in 763 million worldwide. global education monitoring report these challenges make it difficult to cation to millions of children, migrant terms of the commitment to ensure He said that the conflicts 2019 organized by the ministry yes- classify of these migrants in terms of students, and refugees throughout the quality, equitable and inclusive and wars in recent terday on migration, displacement, number, age and school stages they world. education and to promote a life- years have led to the and education; the minister said, for were in before migrating from their H E the minister noted the launch long opportunity for all. early childhood, the enrollment rate country. It is also difficult to classify of several initiatives in this area, The report contains several displacement of nearly for kindergartens increased by 18.2 the curriculum they will study, as to including (QUEST) to educate and recommendations, including the 40 million people, in percent, healthy growth and edu- should it be the destination’s cur- train 400,000 Syrian refugees inside protection of the right to edu- addition to 19 million due cation for children under five rose to riculum or their own countries, or will Syria and in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, cation of migrants and displaced to natural disasters. 92.9 percent, adult literacy rate a curriculum be prepared for them. In and Turkey for three years at a cost of persons, the need to integrate reached 98.5 percent. addition to the number of teachers over USD 100 million. them into the national education He also added that ‘Educate a system, the importance of har- child’ initiative launched by HH nessing their capacities, under- Sheikha Moza bint Nasser since 2012, standing and planning for their has achieved education for the most needs, including the history of marginalized groups in the world and migration and displacement in has provided education to 10 million education, and the numbers of children in the world, as well as ‘Al immigrant and refugee teachers Fakhoora’ initiative to ensure that to address diversity. young people have a good education During the event, a panel dis- in Gaza and West Bank. cussion was held on the report with Furthermore, H E Minister of Edu- the participation of a number of cation and Higher Education stated officials, experts, and stakeholders that the State of Qatar has provided from the State of Qatar and beyond. millions of dollars to enable UNRWA to support education projects in Pal- estine, and ROTA initiative has also contributed to providing basic and qualitative education for primary and secondary school students in Asia and the Middle East to ensure a better future for children in poor and D-RING ROAD affected countries by conflict and POST BOX: 3488 disaster. DOHA - QATAR H E Al Hammadi added that the [email protected] most recent of these initiatives was the pledge made by H H the Amir, to provide quality education to one EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE million girls around the world by TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 2021, during his participation in the FAX: +974 4455 7758 round table held last September on Minister of Education and Higher Education H E Dr. Mohammed bin Abdul Wahed Al Hammadi, speaking during the the sidelines of the 73rd United MANAGING EDITOR TEL: event of the global education monitoring report 2019 on migration, displacement, and education. Nations General Assembly meetings in 4462 7505

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR TEL: 4455 7769 ermany’s latest restrictions who are cautious on arms sales. were framed as memorandums of on arms exports risk making Merkel’s conservatives, keen to understanding to safeguard confiden- LOCAL NEWS SECTION Berlin a pariah in Europe’s smooth the rift with France and tiality, not binding formal treaties. TEL: 4455 7743 defence industry, threatening Britain, are piling pressure on the SPD Berlin’s failure to abide by these G agreements and its lack of coordi- future collaboration on weapons by accusing them of jeopardising BUSINESS NEWS SECTION development and its own ambitions to German industry and jobs. But the SPD nation with France on the Saudi arms TEL: 4462 7535 foster a common European defence notes that the coalition parties agreed embargo have Paris convinced it needs ANDREA SHALAL policy. last year to halt future arms sales to a binding agreement before moving SPORT NEWS SECTION REUTERS Germany’s decision to unilaterally any countries involved in the Yemen ahead on joint weapons programmes TEL: 4455 7745 conflict, which includes Saudi Arabia. with Germany valued at tens of billions Paralyzed by domestic political of euros over the next decades. ONLINE SECTION squabbling, Berlin on Friday put off a Paris and Berlin have drafted a TEL: 4462 7501 decision about extending the embargo bilateral paper spelling out that the two [email protected] Berlin arms policy risks beyond its current March 9 deadline till countries will only block each other’s the end of the month, fuelling concerns exports when “direct interests or PUBLIC RELATIONS among European allies and industry. national security are compromised”, TEL: 4455 7613 ‘German-free’ European “We see no way to resolve the issue excluding something like the [email protected] at this point,” said one European Khashoggi case. industry official. “There’s a complete But discord within Germany’s defence projects ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT stalemate.” ruling coalition has stalled its com- TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 Germany, which has tightened pletion, according to two sources FAX: 4455 7870 controls on arms sales in recent years, familiar with the issue. It also remains [email protected] halt all shipments of military accounts for just under 2 percent of unclear if the bilateral pact needs equipment to Saudi Arabia in total Saudi arms imports. But its role in German parliamentary approval. CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT November after the killing of journalist making components for other coun- The SPD had no immediate new TEL: 4455 7857 Jamal Khashoggi has brought long- tries’ exports means that Berlin can still comment on the issue, but party leader [email protected] standing differences between Berlin derail lucrative European projects. Andrea Nahles last month said her and its European partners over arms In addition to the Eurofighter party would insist on agreement on SUBSCRIPTION & controls to a tipping point. Typhoon contract, Germany’s Saudi tighter German export guidelines DISTRIBUTION The move has put a question mark arms ban is also holding up shipments before moving forward on other issues TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 over billions of euros of military of Meteor air-to-air missiles to Saudi such as Franco-German defence ties. FAX: 44557819 orders, including a 10 billion pound Arabia by MBDA, which is jointly Eric Trappier, chief executive of [email protected] Germany’s decision deal to sell 48 Eurofighter Typhoon jets owned by Airbus, BAE Systems and Rafale-maker Dassault Aviation, said to unilaterally halt to Riyadh, and has prompted some Italy’s Leonardo, since the missiles’ last week it was watching the process all shipments of firms such as Airbus to strip German propulsion system and warheads are closely. “It is obvious that if we are components from some of their built in Germany. really going to launch a Franco- All thoughts and views military equipment products. With British defense con- Two sources familiar with coalition German fighter programme, the export to Saudi Arabia in tractor BAE Systems, the company discussions said the parties could agree rules need to be defined as soon as expressed in these columns November after the behind the Eurofighter Typhoon, to a partial lifting of the freeze for a possible,” he told reporters. are those of the writers, killing of journalist warning that the German embargo number of patrol boats being built for Dirk Hoke, head of Airbus Defence not of the newspaper. would weigh on its financial per- Saudi Arabia by privately-held and Space, told Reuters an agreement Jamal Khashoggi formance, London and Paris are racing Luerssen, and the Meteor missiles, was imperative before the two coun- has brought long- to convince Berlin to lift it. since neither system is being used in tries could move ahead on the new All correspondence standing differences The Social Democrats (SPD), junior the Yemen war. However nothing was warplane, or sign a contract as regarding Views and between Berlin and partners in Chancellor Angela Merkel’s decided, and the Eurofighter sale was expected by year’s end for joint work Opinion pages should be government, want to keep the arms still in question. on a new European drone. sent to editor-in-chief its European partners freeze against Saudi Arabia in place Agreements covering the “This will harm Germany’s part- over arms controls to and reach agreement on a more Eurofighter and the Meteor missile nership with France in the longer-term office or mailed to the a tipping point. restrictive export policy, keen to avoid were meant to prevent any country if no serious, long-term solutions are [email protected] further losses among German voters unilaterally halting exports but they found,” he said. 12 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA TUESDAY 5 MARCH 2019 150 IS fighters IN SHORT Zambia suspends pro-opposition leave Syria’s news channel LUSAKA: Zambia’s broad- casting regulator yesterday Baghouz ordered a one-month sus- pension of a TV channel that has been critical of the gov- REUTERS Islamic State (IS) ernment, just days after the DEIR AL ZOR PROVINCE, SYRIA faces defeat in governing party accused Baghouz, the only the station of bias and Scores of Islamic State (IS) unprofessionalism. fighters surrendered to remaining patch of Established seven years ago US-backed forces yesterday, a land it still holds in by a former cameraman war monitor said, after a fero- the area straddling at the state-owned Zam- cious assault to overrun their last Iraq and Syria where bia National Broadcasting shred of territory in eastern Syria. Corporation, Prime TV has Islamic State faces defeat it declared a caliphate openly condemned the gov- in Baghouz, the only remaining in 2014, although it ernment of President Edgar patch of land it still holds in the still has control in a Lungu. The Independ- area straddling Iraq and Syria ent Broadcasting Authority few remote areas. The members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) stand guard on top of a building during shelling on where it declared a caliphate (IBA) “resolved to suspend the Islamic State group’s last holdout of Baghouz, in the eastern Syrian Deir Al Zor province, yesterday. in 2014, although it still has (the) license with immedi- control in a few remote areas. Islamic State’s fighters have ate effect for 30 days,” IBA Early yesterday, the Syrian gradually fallen back on culmination of a campaign that Twitter, using an Arabic acronym landmines, car bombs, tunnel board secretary Josephine Democratic Forces (SDF) said Baghouz at the Iraqi border as included the capture of Raqqa in for Islamic State. ambushes and suicide attacks as Mapoma told a news con- they had slowed their assault on they retreated down the 2017, when IS also faced other big However, “the battle to they attempted to overrun the ference in Lusaka. “During Islamic State because more Euphrates in the face of sus- defeats in Iraq and Syria. retake the last ISIS holdout is enclave - tactics the jihadist group the suspension period the civilians were trapped in the tained assault in both countries The militia had already going to be over soon,” he added. has honed through its hard-fought station is expected to con- area, though it vowed to capture after its grotesque displays of paused its attack for weeks to Dozens of trucks similar to retreat down the Euphrates. duct in-house training in it soon. A convoy of trucks was cruelty roused global fury. allow thousands of people to flee those that had evacuated people Reuters photographs from basic journalism, ethics and visible heading into Baghouz Despite the setbacks, the the area, including Islamic State from the enclave in recent weeks Baghouz on Sunday showed dark news script writing,” said in the morning, and the Britain- group remains a deadly threat, supporters, fighters, children, local were visible heading back there plumes of smoke rising above houses Mapoma. AFP based Syrian Observatory for developing alternatives to its people and some of the group’s on Monday and the drivers said and palm trees, and SDF fighters South Sudan, Ethiopia Human Rights said 150 mili- caliphate ranging from rural captives. It said on Friday that only they were going to pick people up shooting into the Islamic State tants left the enclave, along insurgency to urban bombings jihadists remained, but now says at Baghouz. Col Sean Ryan, enclave. While the capture of and Eritrea meet with about 250 other people. by affiliates in the region and some more civilians are left. spokesman for the US-led coa- Baghouz would mark a milestone in for stabilisation There was no immediate beyond, many governments say. “We’re slowing down the lition, said in an email that he the fight against Islamic State, the confirmation of the surrenders The Syrian Democratic offensive in Baghouz due to a could not verify who Islamic State group is expected to remain a ADDIS ABABA, ETHIO- from the SDF or any indication Forces this weekend resumed small number of civilians held as was holding but hoped they security threat as an insurgent force PIA: Leaders of Ethiopia and as to how many jihadists its assault on the group’s pocket human shields by Daesh,” said would be released unharmed. with sleeper cells and some pockets Eritrea paid an official visit to remained holed up inside. in the village of Baghouz, the SDF spokesman Mustafa Bali on On Sunday, the SDF faced of remote territory. South Sudan yesterday in an effort to take another step towards the regional integra- tion. South Sudan’s President Algeria: Anger boils despite President’s offer to protesters Salva Kiir postponed his visit to Bahr El Gazel region of Chad to host Eritrean Pres- AP Africa’s largest country. Friday. “What Bouteflika is pro- ident Isaias Afwerki and ALGIERS Responding to Algeria’s biggest posing is just a maneuver to find Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy protest movement in years, a way to buy time,” Mustapha Ahmed in a rare meeting in Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika said on Sunday in a Bouchachi, a member of the the capital Juba. Regional Bouteflika’s offer of a new statement that if he’s re-elected, Mouwatana protest movement, security and creating tighter constitution and a truncated next he would hold a referendum on said yesterday on El Hayat tele- economic ties among the term does not appear to have a new constitution and call an vision. He said Bouteflika refused countries in the region topped satisfied protesters, who faced early election in which he to consider similar reform pro- the agenda of the daylong off with riot police overnight. wouldn’t run. posals offered by the opposition meeting, a diplomatic source Crowds of mainly young pro- He also promised to fight in 2015. “It’s too late,” he said. said. ANATOLIA testers demonstrated into the endemic corruption, better dis- “There’s only one thing left for early hours of yesterday after tribute Algeria’s wealth — which him to do - withdraw his can- Four Americans and Bouteflika’s campaign manager is heavily dependent on natural didacy and return home, if he and pilot dead in formalised the president’s can- gas — and create better oppor- wants to avoid a new bloodbath didacy for a fifth term in an April tunities for Algerians who risk in Algeria.” copter crash in Kenya 18 election. their lives to try to migrate across Questions are swirling NAIROBI: Four Americans As well as voicing opposition the Mediterranean to Europe. around who is actually running and their Kenyan pilot were to Bouteflika’s attempt to hold “I am resolute: If God wants the country - the 82-year-old killed when their helicopter onto power, the protesters are and the Algerian people give me Bouteflika or a coterie of pow- crashed just after takeoff from accusing the country’s secretive its trust, I will take the challenge erful aides and generals. His a remote island in Lake Tur- leadership of failing to share of changing the regime,” Boute- campaign chief submitted Boute- kana in northwestern Kenya, Algeria’s gas wealth, heavy- flika wrote in a statement read flika’s candidacy on Sunday, officials said. The aircraft handed security policies and on national television by cam- instead of the president himself, came down in Central Island widespread corruption. paign chief Abdelghani Zaalane. who was in Switzerland last National Park at around 8pm Police fired tear gas on pro- But protesters don’t want week for medical tests. on Sunday, Kenya’s National testers crying “Bouteflika, Get Bouteflika to run at all in the Mystery around Bouteflika’s Police Service said on its Twit- Out!” at Maurice Audin Square April 18 vote, and described the whereabouts and doubts about ter feed, killing all on board. in western Algiers, according to offer as a ploy to remain in his fitness for office prompted The cause of the crash had images on Algerian private tel- power. Opposition parties are the Algerian ambassador to yet to be determined. The The opponents protest against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s evision networks. holding meetings Monday to France to insist yesterday that US embassy in Kenya listed candidacy in Algiers, Algeria, yesterday. Demonstrators set a social decide the next steps after Boute- “of course he is alive.” three of the four dead Amer- security office on fire in the flika’s announcement. “He’s the one who is icans as Anders Asher Jesiah working class neighbourhood of people injured or arrested has another term for Bouteflika, who Opposition figures largely deciding, not the system,” Burke, Brandon Howe Stap- Belouizdad, an Islamist not been released. has barely been seen in public rejected Bouteflika’s offers, and Ambassador Abdelkader per and Kyle John Forti, adding stronghold, prompting clashes Demonstrations were also since a 2013 stroke and is facing appeals are spreading online for Mesdoua said on France’s CNews that it was offering assistance with police.The number of held in other cities against protests over his leadership of a new nationwide protest action television. to the families of the deceased. REUTERS Uganda says Rwanda Egypt to host tripartite CAR peace deal under ministerial meeting partially lifts trade blockade on Libya today strain as militia quits REUTERS CAIRO: Egypt will host an KAMPALA Arab ministerial meeting AFP “far from being inclusive”. Just Muslim rebels ousted president today to discuss the situation BANGUI, CENTRAL AFRICAN hours after the ministerial list Francois Bozize, a Christian, in Rwanda has started to allow trucks carrying goods from Uganda to in conflict-ridden Libya. The REPUBLIC was unveiled, the Popular Front 2013. enter at one of the main crossing points on their shared border, the meeting will bring together for the Renaissance of the France, the former colonial Ugandan government said yesterday, a sign that renewed hostil- the foreign ministers of Egypt, Less than a month after it was Central African Republic (FPRC), ruler, intervened militarily under ities have started to ease. Algeria and Tunisia for talks signed, the Central African said it was leaving the a UN mandate as fears grew of Rwanda last week abruptly begun blocking cargo trucks from on the Libyan crisis, the state- Republic’s peace agreement was government. a Rwandan-style genocide. The Uganda from entering its territory as well as stopping its nationals run Al Ahram newspaper under strain yesterday after a The FPRC did not specify Seleka were forced from power from crossing over to Uganda. reported. No details were pro- militia group abandoned the deal whether it planned to remain and in February 2016, Touadera, Uganda summoned Rwanda’s ambassador to Kampala on Friday vided about the content of the and a second said it was quitting part of the peace process, but a former prime minister, was to protest against the border closure. meeting. The Egyptian author- a new government designed to charged the authorities with elected president. Under peace Ofwono Opondo, Uganda’s government spokesman, said on ities have yet to confirm the be the keystone of the accord. “bad faith, amateurism and accord’s provisions, Touadera Monday that the flow of cargo traffic had been eased at Mirama meeting. In early 2017, the The Democratic Front of the incompetence.” The peace agreed to form an “inclusive” Hills, one of the three main border crossings between the countries. three countries unveiled a tri- Central African People (FPDC), agreement was forged after government. Uganda will review allegations of arbitrary detentions of Rwandese partite initiative to advance one of 14 armed groups that negotiations in the Sudanese But in the team unveiled on which authorities in Kigali have cited as one the reasons for stopping a political settlement to the inked the so-called Khartoum capital of Khartoum before being Sunday, the ministers in sen- the country’s nationals from coming to Uganda, Opondo said. crisis in Libya that called for Agreement, announced it was signed in Bangui on February 6. sitive key posts all kept their “Specific cases raised on alleged arbitrary arrests or detentions rejecting any military solution walking away in protest at a The deal brings together Pres- jobs, while six of the 14 armed shall be handled through normal diplomatic channels,” he wrote to the Libyan conflict. newly formed government. ident Faustin-Archange groups obtained no post at all. on Twitter. Two other crossings including the busy Katuna border Libya has been beset by tur- The FPDC “is resolved purely Touadera and the leaders of the One of those left out, the post remain closed, he said. The hostilities, fuelled by longstanding moil since 2011, when a and simply to withdraw from the 14 armed groups who control Movement of Central African mutual suspicions and allegations of supporting each other’s dissi- bloody Nato-backed uprising peace process,” it said in a most of the CAR. Freedom Fighters for Justice dents, are unlikely to escalate into war because of overwhelming led to the ouster and death of statement. The group, whose It is the eighth attempt to (MLCJ), a small group in the western diplomatic pressure on both sides to calm the situation, strongman Muammar Gaddafi stronghold is in the northwest, bring peace to the CAR, one of north of the country, warned the analysts said. after more than four decades protested that the new gov- the world’s poorest and most authorities “to look again” at the Rwanda depends for much of its imports on a trade route through in power. ANATOLIA ernment formed on Sunday was unstable countries, since mainly list. Uganda to Kenya’s Indian Ocean seaport of Mombasa. TUESDAY 5 MARCH 2019 ASIA 13 None would have survived if we had Rafale: Modi

IANS We don’t count JAMNAGAR IAF downs casualties after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Pakistan UAV Modi yesterday asserted that the IANS strikes: IAF Chief defence situation in the country NEW DELHI would have been different if the BLOOMBERG Indian Air Force had Rafale fighter The India-Pakistan tension NEW DELHI jets. “Not one this side would have might have eased a bit, but an gone and no one on the other Indian Air Force Su-30 MKI Indian Air Force doesn’t count would have survived,” he added. yesterday shot down a Paki- casualties, the government does, Addressing a rally here, the stani Unmanned Aerial Air Chief BS Dhanoa said, as prime minister called upon the Vehicle (UAV) in the Nal sector opposition leaders call on Prime Opposition, without naming it, to on the International Border Minister Narendra Modi for proof use “common sense” when it in Rajasthan. IAF Chief BS of success on recent strikes speaks about the Rafale jets. Dhanoa had claimed that the against Pakistan. “If the Indian Air Force had the operations were still going on “We hit our target. The Air Rafale today, the situation would as he refused to go into details Force doesn’t calculate casualty have been different, but some about the aerial engagement numbers, the government does people do not have it in them to between the two forces. that,” Dhanoa said at a briefing understand this,” Modi said, Sources said the forces in the southern city of Coim- adding “When I say this, they continued to be on high state batore. “IAF is not in a position to question the Air Force strikes.” of alert and that the air clarify the number of casualties. The prime minister went on, defence systems are manned The government will clarify that. Prime Minister Narendra Modi gesturing during a visit to the new building of the Guru Gobind Singh “The nation agrees that the disease to deal with any eventuality. We don’t count human casualties, Hospital in Jamnagar, yesterday. of terrorism has to be eliminated. we count what targets we have I want to ask you, don’t you trust hit or not.” what our armed forces say? inaugurated the Ahmedabad President Amit Shah’s claims on Congress spokesperson cannot lie. The BJP is lying. The Questions from opposition “Should or should not everyone, Metro rail’s six-km-long first the February 26 air strikes in Manish Tewari tweeted, “AVM whole country is with the (Air) political leaders are increasing including me, believe in our armed phase, 14 years after the project Pakistan, the Congress and the RGK Kapoor said, ‘it would be Force, only the BJP is against after Modi’s main ally in the forces without raising questions? was launched when he was the Aam Aadmi Party slammed him premature to say what is the them,” Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi. ruling party, Amit Shah, at a cam- We should be proud of our armed Gujarat Chief Minister. Accom- and his party for not trusting the number of casualties that we “Is the (Air) Force lying as per paign rally on Sunday said “more forces.” Modi was addressing the panied by Chief Minister Vijay armed forces and “milking the air have been able to inflict on those Amit Shah? The (Air) Force has than 250” terrorists were killed rally after inaugurating a 750-bed Rupani and Deputy Chief Minister strikes for politics”. camps and what is the number clearly said it isn’t sure if anyone in recent air strikes in Pakistan. annexe and PG hostel of the Guru Nitin Patel, Modi travelled from Responding to Shah’s claim on of deaths.’ But Amit Shah says died or not (in the air strikes). Are The government hasn’t provided Gobind Singh Hospital. Vastral to Nirant Road metro Sunday that more than 250 ter- over 250 terrorists killed in air the BJP and Shah calling the (Air) an official tally and its critics He also laid the foundation station in the eastern industrial rorists were killed in the air strikes, strikes.” Force a liar for their electoral allege the ruling party is using the stones of various development suburb of Ahmedabad after the two parties said the BJP’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief benefit? The nation believes in the attacks to bolster support before projects in the Saurashtra region. flagging off the train. claims were not in line with the Arvind Kejriwal also questioned Forces. Don’t Shah and the BJP elections that could be called any The prime minister Meanwhile, questioning BJP Air Force statement in this regard. Shah’s claim. “The (Air) Force trust them?” he said in tweet. day now. NC, PDP & Congress for Former BJD MP Jay Stubble burning causes Panda joins BJP concurrent polls in J&K IANS nearly $30bn losses in India NEW DELHI IANS ECI officials, is scheduled to SRINAGAR meet leaders of seven national IANS to be around $7bn a year. In five was measured by the frequency Former Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP and three regional political NEW DELHI years, the economic loss due to of reported hospital visits for acute Baijayant Jay Panda joined the All the mainstream political parties in Srinagar and Jammu burning of crop residue and fire- respiratory infection (ARI), BJP here in the presence of parties, which met the Election to seek their response on Not just growing respiratory crackers is estimated to be symptoms. Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Commission (EC) team here, holding elections in the state. diseases but crop residue burning $190bn, or nearly 1.7 percent of They examined other factors Juel Oram and other senior party have favoured holding simulta- The team will also hold dis- (CRB) has led to economic loss of India’s GDP,” said the study. that could contribute to poor res- leaders. neous polls to the Lok Sabha and cussions with the Deputy Com- nearly $30bn annually for the The study analysed health piratory health such as firecracker Panda, a four-time member the Assembly in Jammu and missioners and Senior Superin- three north Indian states of data from more than 250,000 burning during Diwali (it usually of Parliament, was elected to the Kashmir. tendents of Police of the 10 dis- Punjab, Haryana and Delhi every individuals of all ages residing in coincides with time of CRB) and Lok Sabha from Kendrapara Senior leaders of the tricts in the Valley and two year in India, says a study. rural and urban areas in India. motor vehicle density. “Smoke constituency of Odisha in 2014. National Conference (NC), the districts in the Ladakh division. The study conducted by the It used Nasa satellite data on from the burning of agricultural He was suspended from the BJD Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Sources said the EC team International Food Policy fire activity to estimate the health crop residue by farmers in for “anti-party activities” on and Congress met the EC team, will also be briefed about the Research Institute (IFPRI) and impact of living in areas with Haryana and Punjab particularly January 24, 2018. headed by Deputy Election security situation in the state, partner institutes estimate — for intense crop burning by com- contributes to Delhi’s poor air, Having been at loggerheads Commissioner Sandeep Saxena. following the cross-border ten- the first time — the health and paring them with areas unaffected increasing the risk of ARI three- with Odisha Chief Minister and The EC team visited the state sions in the past one week. economic costs of CRB in northern by CRB. The researchers observed fold for those living in districts BJD chief Naveen Patnaik for to review preparations for the The team will hold a press India. “Economic losses owing to that as crop burning increased, with intense crop burning,” said months, Panda finally quit the Lok Sabha elections. conference in Jammu before exposure to air pollution from respiratory health worsened. IFPRI Research Fellow and co- party on May 28 last year, two The team, comprising senior flying back to Delhi today. firecracker burning are estimated The research noted that health author of the study, Samuel Scott. weeks after he tendered his res- ignation as the Lok Sabha member. He was also elected to Kerala CPI to field 2 MLAs in polls the Lok Sabha in May 2009 from CPI-M to support Congress where Kendrapara parliamentary con- IANS asked to contest from Thrissur stituency. Earlier, he twice rep- THIRUVANANTHAPURAM and P P Suneer the Wayanad resented his state in the Rajya it is in direct contest with BJP seat. Sabha between 2000 and 2006. The CPI’s Kerala unit sprang a Speaking to the media, One of the founding surprise here yesterday by Divakaran, a former State Min- members of the BJD, Panda IANS contest in the present six sitting in Maharashtra for contesting recommending four names for ister, said the state council has worked in the corporate sector NEW DELHI Lok Sabha seats which are cur- Dindori or Palghar seats where it the Lok Sabha seats the party cleared his name and now the before joining politics. rently held by Congress and the “independently polls around a contests and dropping the sitting national executive will take a The CPI-M said that in order to Left Front. The Communist Party lakh votes each”. In Bihar, talks MP. CN Jayadevan who won decision. “If it’s cleared then I DMK inks poll deal defeat the BJP-led alliance and of India-Marxist’s Central Com- are being held with RJD for con- Thrissur Lok Sabha seat in 2014 will contest and win,” said ensure an alternative secular mittee had earlier decided that the testing Ujiarpur seat in Samastipur has been dropped and the Divakaran. with CPI, VCK, IJK government is formed at the party will adopt suitable tactics to district, it said. names of two sitting legislators Incidentally, Divakaran will Centre, it would lend support to ensure the maximization of the “In Odisha, where simulta- — C Divakaran (Thiruvanan- be taking on two-time Congress IANS the Congress in states where it is pooling of anti-BJP and anti-Tri- neous elections will be held, the thapuram) and Chittayam Gopa- Lok Sabha member Shashi CHENNAI in direct contest with the namool Congress votes. CPI-M will contest the Bhu- kumar (Mavelikera) — have Tharoor. The national executive Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The party added that in Tamil baneswar Lok Sabha and a few been added to the list. will meet in Delhi tomorrow and The DMK concluded electoral The party said that in West Nadu, discussions were on for seat Assembly seats including its sitting Rajaji Mathew Thomas, a Thursday to take a final decision, pacts with three more Tamil Bengal, it won’t go for mutual sharing with DMK and with NCP seat Bonnai,” it added. former legislator, has been said Thomas. Nadu parties — the CPI, the VCK and the IJK — for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. As per the agreement inked between the DMK and three Final millions bathe at Kumbh festival parties, the CPI and the VCK get two seats each while the IJK AFP mythical Saraswati at the festival — home gets one. Speaking to the media, ALLAHABAD to a vast tent city bigger than Manhattan — VCK leader Thirumavalavan brings salvation. This year’s festival was the said the two constituencies will India’s Kumbh Mela religious mega festival Ardh (half) Kumbh Mela, which denotes the be decided later and expressed wraps up with some 10 million pilgrims completion of the six-year half cycle of the confidence that the DMK-led expected to take a final holy plunge, taking even bigger and grander Maha (great) alliance will win all the 40 Lok the final tally towards 250 million, officials Kumbh festival, held every 12 years. Sabha seats — 39 in Tamil Nadu said. “We expect at least 10 million today Authorities have spent about $40m on and the lone Puducherry seat. because it is both the last day and Mahashiv- an operation to block some drains and Till now, the DMK has ratri,” one of the biggest Hindu holy days, make sure others undergo cleaning so that signed electoral alliance pacts government official Prabhat Shukla said. waste water pouring into the rivers does with six parties, alloting them “Around 220 million people have not threaten the pilgrims. More than 30,000 16 seats in the state and visited the Kumbh as per our last calcula- police were on duty to manage the huge Puducherry. While the Congress tions. The final tally will only be updated crowds and prevent deadly stampedes seen has got nine seats in Tamil Nadu after the end of the festival but it could be at previous gatherings. and the lone Puducherry seat, around 250 million,” Shukla added. The Special skimmer boats collected waste the CPI and the VCK have been 48-day festival in the northern city of Alla- from the surface of the rivers and more than given two seats each, and the habad, recently renamed Prayagraj after 40,000 temporary toilets have been IUML, the KDMK and the IJK the region’s ancient Hindu name by the installed. Devotees meditate on the banks one seat each. state’s Hindu nationalist government, began of the rivers after the dip and collect Ganges The DMK is also holding in February. water in cans to take home. Many observe talks with Vaiko’s MDMK and Hindus believe bathing at the meeting complete silence for the rest of the day after Devotees arrive to take a holy dip at the Sangam on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri the CPI-Marxist and a decision point of the Ganges, the Yamuna and the their ritual bath. and the last day of the Kumbh Mela festival in Allahabad, yesterday. is expected today. 14 ASIA TUESDAY 5 MARCH 2019

Pakistan desires Islamabad vows peace in region, action against says Qureshi INTERNEWS ISLAMABAD militant groups Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that the entire world REUTERS Information Minister knows Pakistan’s penchant for ISLAMABAD stresses the need peace. for tackling banned The minister’s statement Pakistan plans to take action came after he presided over a against militant groups oper- groups operating consultative session at the ating on its soil, Information under new names. Foreign Office yesterday. Minister Fawad Chaudhry said Former foreign secretaries and yesterday. demands set out by a global envoys attended the session, “A full-fledged strategy is watchdog, the Financial Action where Foreign Secretary now in place. We have different Task Force (FATF), which put Tehmina Janjua was also strategies for different groups, Pakistan on a terrorism watch present. Important matters per- but the main aim is that we have list in 2018 on the urging of the taining to Pakistan-India to enforce the writ of the state. United States and the European standoff and diplomatic issues An Indian passenger on-board the Samjhauta Express waves to her relatives as the train leaves We have to demilitarise if there nations. were discussed in the session. Lahore railway station, yesterday. are groups (on our soil),” the “We have to implement The foreign minister said minister said. FATF conditions, and likewise, that Pakistan welcomed Organ- Chaudhry said the decision we have taken strict measures isation of Islamic Cooperation’s to act was taken at a meeting of on money laundering to dry the Train link between Pakistan, India restored resolution against Indian forces’ the National Security Committee source of funding for these atrocities in Indian-adminis- before the Pulwama suicide groups,” Chaudhry said. AP Kashmir opened yesterday after LoC. At least eight civilians and tered Kashmir. bombing in Indian-held The information minister LAHORE seven days of closure amid the two soldiers have been killed The meeting agreed to con- Kashmir. said the government was heightened tensions. in Pakistani-controlled tinue the consultative sessions Pakistan’s English-language looking to close “loopholes” that A key train service between Raja Jaleel, head teacher at Kashmir since tensions soared on diplomatic issues. Dawn newspaper also said that allowed banned groups to Pakistan and India resumed and a secondary school in Chakothi, following India’s air strike last The foreign minister, while a source briefed journalists that operate. “With banned groups schools in Pakistani Kashmir which is close to the Line of Tuesday. speaking to the media a day a crackdown against militant it will be made sure that they opened yesterday in another sign Control (LoC) border in the dis- The reopening of schools on earlier, said Indian Prime Min- groups was imminent. “The will be banned in practical terms of easing tensions between the puted region, said classes the Pakistani side of Kashmir ister Narendra Modi’s gov- action would soon be visible as also,” he said. “The problem is two countries since a major resumed but attendance was and the resumption of the train ernment had put the Kashmir things progress,” Dawn cited the that they change names and escalation last week. thin. service amid the lull in the issue on the agendas of inter- source as saying. start operating from other Pakistan Railways He lauded the courage of the crossfire for the second consec- national forums - something Chaudhry said Pakistan names. This needs to be taken spokesman Ejaz Shah said the students who attended, as many utive day suggests that both the which has always been avoided would use an “economic, care of.” train service, known as the of the area’s parents are keeping countries have heeded interna- by the previous Indian political and administrative Chaudhry, however, denied Samjhauta Express, left Lahore their children home for their tional calls to exercise restraint. governments. strategy” that would adhere to the Indian accusations that for India’s border town of Atari, safety. However, Pakistan hasn’t yet The US, the UK, the EU, Pakistan’s National Action Plan Pakistan was involved in the with some 180 passengers on “We have started our day opened its airspace for flights to Russia, China and Turkey want (NAP) formulated in 2014, which February 14 Pulwama attack, board. with prayers for peace,” said the or from the east. to de-escalate the border ten- vowed to stamp out militant which led to a sharp rise in hos- Pakistan suspended the train head teacher, adding that the Senior civil aviation official sions between Pakistan and groups. Analysts say security tilities. “We have looked at the service last week as tensions students also chanted slogans in Aamir Mahboob said that there India, Qureshi said. “A small services carrying out NAP did incident and it is our considered escalated following India’s air- support of the army. was “no change yet in our avi- section of the Indian gov- not target anti-India outfits. opinion that Pulwama has strike on Tuesday inside Schools were closed when ation policy toward east but the ernment for their political Chaudhry added that nothing to do with us,” Chaudhry Pakistan. Indian and Pakistani troops west corridor is open for all ambitions desire to put the Pakistan would also fulfil said. Schools in Pakistan-controlled were trading fire across the flights.” region in war,” he added.

IN SHORT Man who resolves Kashmir dispute should get Nobel, not me: Imran

Rains, flash floods AGENCIES worthy of this would be the one After Khan’s tweet, his party, leaders and UN Secretary- support in this difficult time,” PTI ISLAMABAD who solves the Kashmir dispute the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf General Antonio Guterres. said in a Twitter message posted leave 13 dead in according to the wishes of the (PTI), tweeted the same in Hindi A motion was also submitted in Turkish language. Balochistan Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Kashmiri people and paves the to reach Indians. in the National Assembly Secre- “We are peaceful people and Khan has said that the man who way for peace and human devel- #NobelPeacePrizeForIm- tariat on Saturday, calling for the we don’t want war,” it added. QUETTA: Authorities say resolves the lingering Kashmir opment in the subcontinent,” he ranKhan began trending on PM to be awarded the Nobel On Saturday, the Turkish heavy rains and flash floods issue between Pakistan and India wrote on the social media Twitter soon after the prime Peace Prize. president had said that Turkey over the weekend in Pakistan’s would deserve the Noble Peace platform. minister announced in a joint Meanwhile, the ruling PTI was ready to do its part to de- southwestern Balochistan Prize. Khan’s move to release the session of Parliament on party thanked Turkish President escalate tensions between province have killed at least 13 The premier took to Twitter pilot, who was held after his Thursday that Pakistan would Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistan and India. people, injured a dozen oth- amid calls for the Nobel Peace fighter jet was shot down by release Wing Commander Abhi- Turkish people for extending The president also hailed ers and damaged hundreds Prize for him after he decided to Pakistan in Pakistani side of nandan, who was handed over support to Pakistan during its Pakistan’s move to hand over the of homes. Imran Zarkon, head release the captured Indian pilot Kashmir on Wednesday, was to Indian officials at the Wagah recent stand-off with India. captured Indian pilot as a of provincial disaster manage- to help defuse tensions with India. lauded the world over and online border crossing the next day. “We, as people of Pakistan, goodwill gesture and said he ment authority, yesterday said “I am not worthy of the campaigns sought the Nobel Prime Minister Imran’s thank Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan looked forward to seeing similar that nine districts of the prov- Nobel Peace Prize. The person Peace Prize for him. gesture was hailed by world and the Turkish people for their steps from India. ince were affected by flash floods triggered by heavy rains and snow. Hundreds of mud houses have been damaged Bangladesh to relocate and scores of goats and sheep washed away. He says infra- structure in some districts, like Rohingya to remote islet bridges and roads, were also damaged. Zarkon says rescue ANATOLIA Under the government plan, and relief teams were sent to DHAKA the minister said, over 103,000 all affected districts and pro- Rohingya out of over a million vided people with shelter, Bangladesh will relocate who fled Myanmar will be food and other needs. In some 100,000 Rohingya refugees to moved to Bhashan Char at an places, they rescued people a remote islet by mid-April, a estimated cost of over 23.12bn stranded by the flooding. He government minister confirmed Bangladeshi taka ($275.3m), said relief work was under way yesterday. fully managed by Bangladesh’s as the rains have stopped. AP “Prime Minister Sheikh government. Hasina Wajed last week Until the Rohingya reset- instructed completion of the tlement project began one year Man hanged for Saudi relocation of 23,000 Rohingya ago, the islet was apparently diplomat’s murder families to Bhashan Char by uninhabited, mostly used for in Bangladesh April 15,” local media quoted cattle grazing and as a hub for Mohamed Enamur Rahman, pirates. DHAKA: A Bangladeshi man State Minister for Disaster and The islet emerged from the was hanged in a jail outside Relief Management. Bay of Bengal in 2006 and is Dhaka over the murder of a To make the islet livable, all about 30km from the mainland, Saudi diplomat in 2012, an facilities — including housing, and 52km from the southern official said yesterday. Kha- power, communication, health Noakhali district. laf Al Ali, 45, who worked in care, storm surge protection, In 2013, the area was the consular section of the Flood woes and cyclone shelter centres — declared a forest reserve. Motor- Saudi Arabian embassy, was have been provided, Rahman boats are the only mode of travel shot in the capital’s diplo- Residents displaced by flooding have a meal in a makeshift camp in Kandahar, Afghanistan. added. to the island. matic zone in front of his International groups and Around 1,350 acres of land rented apartment. He later rights bodies including the UN, were proposed for the Rohingya died in hospital. Police at that Human Rights Watch, and rehabilitation project. time said 30-year-old Sai- Myanmar police seize haul of meth pills Amnesty International, however, However, the journey to ful Islam, who was hanged have repeatedly warned the Bhasan Char is a difficult and on Sunday, led the gang who AFP markets while lower-quality this year in the country and the move could be risky and urged during bad weather can be a tried to rob the diplomat. “He YANGON pills are pumped out to domestic biggest ever in Maungdaw region Bangladesh to go through the dangerous trip. was executed in accordance market as well as neighbouring in Rakhine State,” police colonel project with Rohingya refugees The average elevation of with a court order,” prison Myanmar authorities seized Thailand and Bangladesh. Win Ko Ko said. on a voluntary basis and with Bhasan Char is 2.84 meters official Shahjahan Ahmed more than 10 million meth pills Two different busts took The pills were likely destined due clarification. above mean sea level, according said.The Supreme Court in worth $13.3m over the weekend, place in the west of the country for Bangladesh, where they have The minister said that a to Bangladesh Naval sources. August upheld Islam’s death police said yesterday. at the weekend, state-run media become an easy source of meeting had been held at the According to Forest sentence. He was originally High-grade crystal meth — said yesterday, one in Magway income for the Rohingya Muslim prime minister’s office to Department data and available sentenced to death in 2013 or ‘ice’ — is smuggled out of region and one in Maungdaw in refugees who have poured address the concerns and information, a part of the remote by a trial court. AFP Myanmar via sophisticated net- Rakhine state. across the border since a 2017 another was scheduled for island disappears into the sea works to lucrative developed “It’s the biggest drugs seizure military crackdown. March 6. every year due to erosion. TUESDAY 5 MARCH 2019 ASIA 15

Cohen hearing Moon urges new US-N Korea talks may have hurt

AGENCIES offered only to close down “a summit: Trump Moon, who has SEOUL portion of the Yongbyon North Korean nuclear reactor adopted a dovish complex”, a sprawling site cov- AP South Korea President Moon approach to ering multiple nuclear facilities shut down for months: IAEA WASHINGTON Jae-in yesterday urged the US Pyongyang and — and the North is believed to and North Korea to quickly have other uranium enrichment US President Donald Trump is brokered the US-North REUTERS resume denuclearisation talks plants. VIENNA suggesting that a congressional after their Hanoi summit last Korea talks process, North Korea rebuffed the hearing Democrats arranged week ended without a deal. urged his officials to claims, saying it had only wanted The nuclear reactor that is with his former personal Moon, who has adopted a find out what exactly some measures eased, and that believed to have supplied much attorney may have contributed dovish approach to Pyongyang its proposal to close “all the of the plutonium for North to his failure to reach a deal and brokered the US-North had gone awry at the nuclear production facilities” at Korea’s nuclear weapons with North Korean leader. Korea talks process, urged his high-stakes meeting, Yongbyon was its best and final appears to have been shut down After sending his national officials to find out what exactly and predicted a deal offer. “I ask that we find out the for the past three months, the security adviser, John Bolton, had gone awry at the high-stakes would ultimately be exact gap between the two sides UN atomic watchdog said to the Sunday talk shows to meeting, and predicted a deal that led to a no-deal at the Hanoi yesterday. paint the summit as a success, would ultimately be reached. reached. summit and explore ways to The reactor is part of North Trump lashed out at Democrats “We hope that both countries narrow down that gap,” Moon Korea’s Yongbyon nuclear in a tweet on Sunday night, crit- will continue their dialogue and in talks.” The second meeting said. complex. The Vienna-based icising their decision to hold the that their leaders meet again between US President Donald In the meantime, the US International Atomic Energy the 5MW(e) reactor since early hearing featuring his former quickly to reach an agreement Trump and the North’s Kim Jong President said that the reason for Agency has not had access to December 2018,” IAEA Director- lawyer Michael Cohen while he that was held off this time,” Moon Un broke up in disarray on the conclusion of US-South North Korea since Pyongyang General Yukiya Amano (pic- was overseas. said during a security meeting in Thursday in the Vietnamese Korea annual large-scale mil- expelled its inspectors in 2009, tured) said in a closed-door “For the Democrats to Seoul. capital, without even a joint itary drills is to save money, . and it now monitors the coun- speech to his agency’s Board of interview in open hearings a “While I believe the North- statement. “The reason I do not want try’s nuclear activities mainly Governors, which is meeting this convicted liar & fraudster, at the US talks will produce an Trump said at a press con- military drills with South Korea through satellite imagery. week. At the radiochemical lab- same time as the very important agreement in the end, I ask offi- ference after the summit that the is to save hundreds of millions Some independent analysts oratory that separates plutonium Nuclear Summit with North cials to work hard for the North Koreans had wanted sanc- of dollars for the US for which believe the ageing reactor is from the reactor’s spent fuel, Korea, is perhaps a new low in resumption of working-level tions against Pyongyang “lifted we are not reimbursed,” he having technical problems. “The there were no indications of American politics and may have talks between the US and the in their entirety”. tweeted. “That was my position agency has not observed any such reprocessing activities, contributed to the ‘walk,’” North as it is not favourable to According to a senior US long before I became indications of the operation of Amano added. Trump tweeted. “Never done have a long absence or stalemate official, Pyongyang in return President.” when a president is overseas. Shame!” The White House did not immediately respond to questions about why the Cambodian Premier imposes hearing would have contributed to Trump’s decision not to deadline on lifting political ban accept Kim’s terms or whether members of the North Korean AP Cambodian Lunar New Year,” Hun negotiating team indicated they PHNOM PENH Sen said, referring to the country’s were aware of the split-screen traditional New Year that falls in news coverage in the US. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun mid-April. “And after that the door As Trump wrapped up his Sen warned opposition politicians will be closed - if you are making trip, he complained that Dem- yesterday that they should act a request, I will ignore it.” ocrats had scheduled the quickly if they want bans on their The five-year ban was hearing at the same time as his political activity lifted because he imposed when the opposition negotiations. He described it as will soon rescind the opportunity. party was dissolved by court order a “fake hearing” and said Hun Sen said at a ground- in November 2017 on a weakly having it in the middle of this breaking project for a flood supported charge of conspiring “very important summit” was control project in Phnom Penh with the United States to over- “really a terrible thing.” Trump that he will not negotiate with the throw the government. The offer said they could have held it a dissolved opposition Cambodia to lift the bans comes with condi- few days later and had more National Rescue Party to lift the tions, and there are no guarantees time to prepare. ban on all 118 of its former law- that new legal action would not During the House Oversight makers, and that each banned be taken against the opposition Committee hearing, Cohen, member will have to apply politicians, many of whom fled who has turned on Trump and individually. Cambodia.“The door is now open, has pleaded guilty to lying to “I wish to send you a final whether you enter or not is up to Congress earlier to protect message that if you are still indif- you, but don’t expect that there Trump, was harshly critical of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen holds a baby as he arrives to speak at the ground-breaking ferent, the door will be shutting will be political negotiations or a his former boss, calling him a ceremony of a project for flood protection and drainage improvement, in Phnom Penh, yesterday. down before or after the political compromise,” he added. racist, a con man and a cheat. China accuses detained Canadians of stealing state secrets

AFP Another Canadian in Chinese request of the United States. passport and business visas and wants to put her on trial on fraud complained to Chinese author- BEIJING detention — businessman Chinese authorities had previ- has been gathering intelligence charges for alleged Iran sanc- ities that Kovrig and Spavor Michael Spavor — was one of ously said the two Canadian men since 2017, Xinhua said. tions-busting and lying to US have been denied access to China suspects detained former Kovrig’s main sources of intelli- were under investigation on sus- The new allegations come banks about it. Ottawa has said lawyers, and remain in “com- Canadian diplomat Michael gence, the official Xinhua news picion of endangering national three days after Canada launched the two Canadian citizens were pletely unacceptable” detention Kovrig of spying and stealing agency reported, citing author- security. Spying charges could the extradition process against “arbitrarily” detained and that conditions. state secrets, state media ities. The pair were detained in expose them to tough prison Meng, angering Beijing, which interrogations of Kovrig “China’s approach is no dif- reported yesterday, turning up December in what observers see sentences. called the action a “severe breached the Vienna Convention ferent from the rest of the world the heat in a diplomatic row as retaliation just days after Kovrig, who now works for political incident.” Meng will be on diplomatic relations — alle- in dealing with such cases between Beijing and Ottawa as Canada arrested Chinese telecom the International Crisis Group in court in Vancouver tomorrow gations Beijing flatly rejected. involving national security a top Huawei executive faces giant Huawei’s chief financial think-tank, had often entered to schedule a date for her extra- A group of Canadian cases,” Foreign Ministry possible extradition. officer, Meng Wanzhou, at the China using a non-diplomatic dition hearing. The United States parliamentarians had earlier Spokesman Lu Kang said. Japan says yes to research Philippines seizes 1,500 rare turtles in luggage using human cells in animals AFP maximum two years in prison. MANILA The seized were estimated to be AFP after 14 days “due to ethical con- worth $87,000, the customs TOKYO cerns over the vague line Some 1,500 live exotic turtles — bureau said. Among the animals between human beings and some restrained with duct-tape found were the Indian Star Tor- Japan has given the green light animals,” the official said. — have been found inside an toise, classified as “vulnerable” to a controversial research The old regulations also pre- airline passenger’s luggage, Phil- by the International Union for process involving implanting vented researchers from placing ippine authorities said yesterday, Conservation of Nature. animals with human stem cells the embryos into animal wombs as they vowed a crackdown on The turtles confiscated on that could eventually help grow to allow them to develop. the lucrative wildlife trade. Sunday were likely destined to human organs for transplant But the ministry has dropped The Philippines is a major be sold in the Philippines or inside animal hosts. both restrictions “as we have source and transit point of smuggled to other countries The decision by the edu- concluded that there is techni- wildlife trafficking, according to using false documents, envi- cation and science ministry on cally zero risk of producing a a 2018 report by the US State ronment officials said. “It’s for Friday to revise its guidelines new organism mixing human Department. business purposes. Those turtles means Japanese researchers can and animal elements under the The turtles and tortoises are expensive. It’s such a now apply for permits to carry research,” the official added. were found at Manila airport on lucrative business. There are out studies employing the tech- Researchers will now, for Sunday in the luggage of a Fil- buyers and collectors who treat nique, a ministry official said. instance, be allowed to create ipino passenger, who had arrived them as pets,” environment The process involves animal embryos with a human from Hong Kong, hidden among undersecretary Benny Antiporda implanting embryonic animals pancreas and transplant it into clothes and shoes. said. with human “induced the womb of an animal, which The person fled before “We are stepping up our pluripotent stem” (iPS) cells, could in theory result in the birth authorities could confront him, all-out drive against the black which can transform into the of a baby animal with a human customs officials said. “We saw market of endangered species.” building blocks of any part of the pancreas. the images from the x-ray Antiporda added the Philippines body. The idea is for the iPS cells In practice, where similar (machine),” Manila airport would ask Chinese authorities to grow into transplantable research has been carried else- customs chief Carmelita Talusan whether they wanted to take Tortoises are seen covered in duct tape after being seized by human organs inside the animal where, the embryos have been said. “We never expected it back the confiscated turtles Philippine Customs in Manila, Philippines. embryos. terminated before delivery, would reach as many as 1,530,” which were being quarantined Japan had previously avoiding the thorny moral issues Talusan said. “Our staff were and treated in Manila. Sunday’s required researchers to ter- raised by creating creatures that taking care not to hurt them said the matter was under inves- could face charges of violating haul was the latest in a series of minate animal embryos contain both human and animal because duct tape was used to tigation and authorities had the nation’s illegal wildlife seizures of smuggled wildlife at implanted with human cells cells. immobilise the turtles.” Talusan identified the passenger, who trading law, which carry a the capital’s airport. 16 EUROPE TUESDAY 5 MARCH 2019 Germany to strip IS fighters of citizenship

REUTERS An Interior Ministry About a third have returned a second citizenship and be Germany said it would take BERLIN spokeswoman said to Germany, another third are adults. They would be stripped back fighters only if the suspects that three criteria believed to have died and the of their citizenship should they have consular access. Chancellor Angela Merkel’s must be met to allow rest are believed to be still in Iraq fight for IS militant group after Britain last month revoked conservatives and their Social and Syria, including some the new rules come into effect. the citizenship of a teenager who Democrat (SPD) coalition the government to detained by Iraqi forces and US- The compromise ended a had left London when she was partners have agreed a plan to denaturalise Germans backed fighters in Syria. dispute over the issue between aged 15 to join IS militant group strip some Germans who fight who take up arms for An Interior Ministry spokes- conservative Interior Minister in Syria. for the IS militant group of their the IS group. woman told a news conference Horst Seehofer and SPD Justice The case of Shamima Begum citizenship, an Interior Ministry yesterday that three criteria must Minister Katarina Barley. highlighted the security, legal Deputy to slain spokeswoman said yesterday. be met to allow the government US President Donald Trump and ethical dilemmas facing More than 1,000 Germans been debating how to deal with to denaturalise Germans who last month urged Britain, France European governments dealing Gdansk mayor have left their country for war them as US-backed forces are take up arms for the IS militant and Germany to take back more with citizens who had sworn zones in the Middle East since poised to take the last patch of group. than 800 captured IS fighters allegiance to a group determined wins by-election 2013 and the government has territory from IS group in Syria. Such individuals must have and put them on trial. to destroy the West. AP WARSAW May’s top lawyer The deputy to slain Gdansk Mayor Pawel Adamowicz has won a by-election to become his successor and the first seeks legal fix woman to hold the post, offi- cials in Gdansk said yesterday. The city’s electoral com- to Brexit riddle mission said that 39-year-old lawyer Aleksandra Dulkiewicz REUTERS specifics about the kind of (pictured) was backed by more LONDON legally binding changes Cox was than 82 percent of voters in trying to secure. Sunday’s vote. Prime Minister Theresa May’s As Brexit goes down to the She had been acting mayor top lawyer will try to clinch a line, investors are watching to see since Adamowicz’s January 14 Brexit compromise with the if May can win over enough law- death from stab wounds he suf- European Union this week in a makers to her deal. If she cannot, fered the day before while on last-ditch bid to win over rebel- then the exit date is almost certain stage during a charity event. lious British lawmakers before to be delayed by lawmakers eager The attacker is awaiting crunch votes that could delay to avoid a no-deal exit. trial. the divorce. British lawmakers oppose Adamowicz’s slaying The United Kingdom is due the backstop because it requires became a platform for calls for to leave the EU on March 29 but Britain to apply some EU rules political reconciliation but also still has no deal in place gov- in Northern Ireland indefinitely, criticism of Poland’s conserv- erning its exit terms, after law- unless another plan for keeping ative ruling party. makers voted in January by 432 the border open can be agreed Raft race In her first comments as to 230 votes to reject an in future. May has promised to mayor, Dulkiewicz thanked agreement May reached last seek changes, although the EU Carnival revellers with their self-made floats ride down the Schiltach stream during the ‘Bach na voters and asked them to help year with the bloc. has refused to reopen the draft fahre’ (race down the stream) raft contest in Schramberg, Germany, yesterday. cultivate a sense of community May is hoping to win over treaty. Parliament will vote on out of their collective sorrow. enough lawmakers to pass it, by her deal by March 12. agreeing a legal addendum with If they reject the deal, law- the EU on the deal’s most con- makers will have a vote on troversial element: a “backstop” whether to leave without a deal, Two more dead as knife attacks in Britain soar to ensure no hard border and then on whether to delay between EU-member Ireland Brexit, probably by a few months REUTERS murdered across the county, it aged 16 and under being stabbed Girl Scout, was killed in a knife and Northern Ireland. until the end of June. LONDON can’t go on,” Javid said. rose by 93 percent between 2016 attack in a park in east London. Attorney-General Geoffrey In a bid to win over oppo- Police said the surge in knife and 2018. Her family have called her Cox, Britain’s top government sition Labour Party lawmakers, Two teenagers were killed in crime in a country where guns At the same time, police have murder a “totally random and lawyer, is due to meet EU Brexit May will set out plans for a knife attacks in Britain over the are hard to obtain has been suffered big cuts in staffing and unprovoked attack”. negotiator Michel Barnier in $2.11bn fund to help to boost weekend, bringing the total driven by several factors, funding under austerity “A Knife to the Heart of Brussels today. economic growth in Brexit-sup- number of people killed in stab- including rivalries between drug measures imposed by Prime Britain”, the Daily Mail splashed “The attorney-general con- porting communities. bings this year to at least 24 and gangs, cuts to youth services, and Minister Theresa May’s across its front page yesterday tinues to pursue legally binding The Labour Party’s finance pushing the bloodshed to the provocations on social media. government. along with a photograph of changes to the backstop that are spokesman, John McDonnell, forefront of national concern. Many have occurred in poor In the latest deaths, 17-year- Chesney. necessary to ensure the EU said the fund was “Brexit British Interior Minister Sajid areas of the capital, London. old schoolboy Yousef Ghaleb British media also made cannot hold the UK in it indefi- bribery”. “This towns fund Javid said he would be meeting The issue has shot to the top Makki, was stabbed in a village much of the fact that Makki lived nitely,” a spokesman for May smacks of desperation from a police chiefs this week to find of the political agenda after near Manchester while he was in an affluent area and went to said. “We’re now at a particu- government reduced to bribing ways to tackle the problem as he figures show the number of visiting a friend. Two boys, also a private school. Most attacks larly critical stage in these Members of Parliament to vote called for an end to the deaths from stabbings reached aged 17, have been arrested on take place in more deprived negotiations.” for their damaging flagship “senseless violence”. a record high last year. The suspicion of murder. areas with higher general crime He declined to go into any Brexit legislation.” “Young people are being number of children in England Jodie Chesney, a 17-year-old rates.

London museum agrees to return Swiss skier pledges emperor’s locks of hair to Ethiopia prize money to fight AFP climate change LONDON AP Yule has earned almost A London museum said GENEVA $90,000 in prize money this yesterday it will return to season, including his first World Ethiopia the locks of hair Hitting back at the president of Cup win in December in allegedly taken by British troops his sport’s governing body, Swiss Madonna di Campiglio, Italy. from an emperor who skier Daniel Yule will give his The 26-year-old skier, committed suicide rather than prize money this month to an whose parents are British, also be captured over 150 years ago. athlete-backed charity helped Switzerland win gold in The National Army Museum campaigning against climate the team event at the worlds in will repatriate the hair, cut from change. Are, Sweden. The Swiss also won the head of emperor Tewodros The Olympic gold medallist team gold at 2018 Pyeongchang II, following a formal request said he is “putting my money Olympics. from Ethiopia last year. where my mouth is” after criti- Yule’s pledge was quickly “We believe the Ethiopian cising International Ski Feder- liked on Instagram by Olympic The former home of Russian ex-spy Sergei Skripal covered with tarpaulin and scaffolding and secured government claim to repatriate ation President Gian Franco slalom champion Andre Myhrer by police, exactly one year to the day since the assissination attempt on Skripal with the nerve agent is reasonable and we are Kasper at the world champion- of Sweden, who wrote “That’s pleased to be able to assist,” Novichok, in Salisbury, yesterday. ships last month. amazing” with a thumbs up said Terri Dendy, the museum’s Kasper’s comments about emoji. head of collections standards “so-called climate change” in a In interviews during world and care, adding it had reached Picture ‘error’ on spy attack anniversary Swiss newspaper interview championships, Yule said he was the decision after spending prompted Colorado-based non- disappointed with Kasper’s “considerable time researching REUTERS “This was an error which has “Salisbury is open for profit Protect Our Winters to comments, which the long-time the provenance and cultural LONDON now been rectified,” May said business. What I’ve seen today urge him to resign . FIS leader later said were not sensitivities around this when asked about the picture on here in Salisbury is the tre- Yule, a slalom specialist, meant to be taken literally. matter”. British Prime Minister Theresa a visit to Salisbury Cathedral. mendous spirit and resolve of made his pledge in an Instagram Two-time Olympic gold “(It) is very much based on May’s office posted a picture of Former Russian spy Sergei the people of Salisbury. It’s been post ahead of World Cup races medalist Ted Ligety also used the desire to inter the hair the wrong English city when it Skripal, and his daughter Yulia, a difficult year for them.” on the next two Sundays. social media last month to chal- within the tomb alongside the sought to mark the anniversary were found slumped on a public May’s tweet with the picture “After the FIS president lenge Kasper’s views on climate emperor,” Dendy said. of the poisoning of a former bench in the English city of of Bath, a nearby city known for denied climate change during change. “Time for leadership “Tewodros was entombed in Russian double agent that Salisbury on March 4 last year, its Roman-built baths, was later the last World Championships, that is in touch with reality and Trinity Monastery in northern London has blamed on Kremlin. and Britain has charged two changed to show a picture of her I’ve decided to donate half of the forward thinking,” the American Ethiopia.” Over a picture of green trees, Russians in absentia with their Downing Street office. prize money I earn at the last racer wrote on Twitter . It acquired the two locks in a river and Bath’s spire, Theresa attempted murder. The prime minister has two two world cup races in Kransjka Kasper was an International 1959 — one of which was May’s twitter feed said: Russia has denied twitter accounts. Gora and Andorra to @ Olympic Committee member for framed with a letter and the “Salisbury has fought back so involvement in the poisoning. A spokesman for the prime protectourwintersswitzerland.” 18 years and sat on its executive emperor’s seal — from the well from such a devastating and “I’m here in the cathedral minister said the wrong picture Both slalom races offer board until last year when both family of an artist who had reckless incident — a testament which is a great attraction, won- was used following a human $45,000 for winning, with prize positions lapsed for age reasons. painted the emperor before his to the resolve, forbearance and derful things to come and see,” error and was corrected as soon money paid for top 30 placings He is now an honourary IOC death in 1868. positivity of the community.” May said in a televised interview. as possible. down to $500 for 30th. member. TUESDAY 5 MARCH 2019 EUROPE 17 Putin officially Estonia’s centre-right oppn party wins polls REUTERS TALLINN suspends arms Estonia’s opposition centre-right Reform party pulled off a surprise win over Prime Minister Juri Ratas’ governing centre-left treaty with US Centre party in Sunday’s parlia- mentary elections. The results put Reform AFP The Kremlin said leader Kaja Kallas in the pole MOSCOW in a statement that position to become the country’s the move was taken first female prime minister, President Vladimir Putin following “a violation although she will have to tackle yesterday officially suspended difficult negotiations to form a Russia’s participation in a key of the United States of governing coalition. Cold War-era arms treaty, after its obligations under Most opinion polls since late the US first moved to ditch the the treaty. last year had put Centre in front, INF deal. although recent surveys indi- Putin “signed a decree cated a tight race, with some regarding the suspension of Rus- would consider it a “serious suggesting pro-business Reform sia’s participation in the threat”. could pull ahead. agreement between the USSR US Secretary of State Mike “I have to admit I prepared and the US,” the Kremlin said in Pompeo dismissed the threats two speeches,” Kallas said near a statement. as “bluster” designed to divide midnight speaking to a cheering Kaja Kallas, leader of the liberal Reform Party, addressing the crowd after winning Estonia’s general The move was taken fol- Washington and its allies. crowd of her supporters. “Now election, in Tallinn, yesterday. lowing “a violation of the United Brokered by US president starts the real work to form the States of its obligations under Ronald Reagan and Soviet government and start to govern Kallas, a 41-year-old lawyer after which the nominee will EKRE’s success could lead to the treaty,” it said. leader Mikhail Gorbachev, the this country more and former European Parliament begin negotiations to form a coa- a coalition of Estonia’s main Moscow and Washington INF treaty ended a superpower intelligently.” member, took over as Reform lition as all parties fell well short rivals - Ratas’ traditionally pro- have accused one another of buildup of warheads that had Reform won 28.8 percent of leader less than a year ago. The of winning a majority. Russian Centre and pro-Western breaching the Intermediate- frightened Europe. the vote, giving it 34 seats in the party’s founders include her Kallas looks likely to face a Reform — which have not gov- Range Nuclear Forces It banned ground-launched new 101-seat parliament. Centre father, Siim Kallas, a former difficult task in hammering out erned together since the year agreement concluded between missiles with a range of 500 to stood at 23.1 percent and the far- Estonian prime minister and EU a coalition government in the 2003. the US and the former Soviet 5,500km. right EKRE at 17.8 percent, more commissioner. parliament where all other “Now it’s my duty and goal Union in 1987. The deal addressed Soviet than doubling its vote from the Estonia’s president is due to parties have ruled out governing to work, for our party will be in US President Donald Trump nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles previous election, said the State nominate the candidate for with the eurosceptic nationalists the coalition,” Ratas said while said in February that Wash- targeting Western capitals, but Electoral Office. prime minister in coming days, of EKRE. admitting defeat. ington would start a process to put no restrictions on other withdraw from the deal within major military actors such as six months. China. UK Royals to Putin responded soon after Nato has said that US allies Forest fires rage across northern Spain that Russia was planning to “fully support” its withdrawal suspend its involvement. from the pact, insisting that Rus- AFP blazes raged in neighbouring of wildfires yesterday, the block ‘trolls’ He said Russia would seek sia’s 9M729 ground-launched MADRID Cantabria. region’s government said. to develop medium-range mis- cruise missile systems violate The fires were being fed by The president of the regional on their social siles in response to what he said the treaty. Dozens of wildfires raged across strong southerly winds, with government of Cantabria, Miguel were similar projects in the US, European leaders have northern Spain yesterday, gusts of up to 100km an hour, Angel Revilla, urged locals to be media sites raising the spectre of a new arms voiced fears over the conse- fuelled by strong, dry winds and and unusually warm tempera- vigilant, warning that today’s AP race. quences of the treaty’s demise warm temperatures, local offi- tures for this time of the year, forecast was for more “very LONDON In his state of the nation and called on Russia to address cials said, unusual in a region local officials said. No injuries strong winds” from the south. address last month, Putin concerns before the US formally that is normally rainy, especially were reported. Spain is prone to wildfires in Britain’s royal family is warning threatened to deploy new mis- leaves in August. in winter. Temperatures hit 25 degrees summer, especially in the more that it will block trolls posting siles against Western capitals. Moscow has also expressed Some 300 firefighters and Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) arid southern regions and along offensive messages on its social The longtime Russian leader concern that Washington’s soldiers backed by nine water- on Sunday in Gijon, the largest its Mediterranean coastline. media channels — and may warned Washington against decision to withdraw from the dropping aircraft battled 99 city in Asturias, according to But such incidents are report offenders to the author- deploying any new missiles in INF could jeopardise the forest fire burning across the national weather office Aemet. unusual in winter, especially in ities. Europe following the collapse extension of the New START Asturias region, local emergency All of Asturias faced either rainier northern regions such as The Buckingham Palace, of the treaty, saying Moscow treaty. services said, while another 18 an “very high” or “extreme” risk Asturias and Cantabria. Clarence House and Ken- sington Palace issued new guidelines yesterday, spelling out the policy banning French President calls for reconciliation with Italy offensive, hateful and racist language. AFP “There has been intemperate misunderstandings that can On the other hand, he spoke its release as Macron chose to be The guidelines come amid ROME talk. There have been various sometimes arise in political or at length about his love of Italy interviewed by Fabio Fazio, a concern about the online abuse twists and turns and I think we economic life and which are, for and his travels. nemesis of Italy’s deputy Prime aimed at the wives of Prince French President Emmanuel owe it to our people, to our me, secondary,” Macron said, “There are so many French Minister Matteo Salvini and William and Prince Harry. Macron has launched a call for history and to Europe, to get past without mentioning Prime Min- people who love Italy and nationalists who consider him Much of the social media reconciliation with Italy following that,” Macron said on Italian ister Giuseppe Conte or other Italians who love France and the archetypal “trendy” journalist. abuse has centred around rival a diplomatic spat between the television. Italian leaders. French. But suddenly, we almost During his interview, the fans of the Duchess of Cam- neighbours that saw Paris briefly In the spirit of reconciliation, With the exception of a forgot that we have to keep on French president also quoted bridge and the Duchess of recall its ambassador. Macron said he would host his question about the planned learning to understand each writer Roberto Saviano, one of Sussex. Relations between the two Italian counterpart Sergio Mat- Lyon-Turin rail link — which he other,” Macron said. Salvini’s most virulent critics, The royals said guidelines countries have fractured due to tarella at Amboise, central stressed the importance of — “I do not underestimate any and lambasted “the simplifi- were introduced to try to repeated clashes between cen- France, on May 2 to celebrate the Macron did not mention other of the difficulties of everyday life cation of the message of some maintain a safe environment on trist Macron and Italy’s populist 500th anniversary of the death divisive subjects such as Italian and the impatience, but I believe nationalists”. their social media channels and coalition government. of Leonardo da Vinci “with populist leaders’ support of the that between our countries there “No country, no one in calls for users to show In February, Paris recalled French and Italian youth”. “yellow vest” protestors in is and always has been a lot of Europe, nor Italy, nor France, “courtesy, kindness and ambassador Christian Masset for “We will talk about the future France or the merger between heart, that is to say, friendship, will solve its own problems by respect.” a week in protest at “unfounded and Europe,” he added. French shipbuilder Chantiers de love,” he said in a final message. opposing other European coun- The Royal Family site on attacks and outlandish claims” The two presidents intend to l’Atlantique (formerly STX In Italy, the interview pro- tries and by withdrawing back Twitter has some 3.87 million by the Italian government. go “beyond the France) and Italy’s Fincantieri. voked controversy even before to the national level,” he insisted. followers. Belarus fines Graft scandal: Poroshenko journalist for illegally removes defence official obtaining data AFP Poroshenko of turning a blind KIEV eye to protect former business AFP partner Gladkovsky. MINSK Ukrainian President Petro Poro- “This morning... I signed a shenko said he had fired a close decree dismissing Oleg Gladk- The editor of a Belarusian inde- ally and defence official over a ovsky from the post,” Poro- pendent news website avoided corruption scandal, seeking to shenko said. jail yesterday but was fined by a distance himself from the He called for a criminal court in Minsk in a case controversy weeks before probe opened by the anti-cor- denounced by rights activists as seeking re-election. ruption prosecutor’s office to be censorship. Oleg Gladkovsky, deputy completed as soon as possible. Marina Zolotova, editor-in- head of the national security Accusations of self- chief of Tut.by, was fined $3,400 council, profited from the sale enrichment at the expense of the for “unauthorised” access to of smuggled Russian military army are particularly damaging services provided by the state parts to state defence companies in Ukraine, which has been news agency BelTA. at inflated prices, according to fighting Russian-backed sepa- She was detained in August a report last week by an inde- ratists in the east since 2014. Marina Zolotova, editor-in-chief of Tut.by independent news website, arrives to hear the announcement last year with several other jour- pendent media outlet. The conflict has claimed of the sentence in Minsk, Belarus, yesterday. nalists. BelTA accused them of Poroshenko, who is not some 13,000 lives. failing to pay subscription fees. a smiling Zolotova said in court. and more serious than the case freely accessible soon after sub- accused of involvement, is Corruption is endemic in Zolotova faced up to five She thanked colleagues for of unauthorised access,” she said scribers see them. seeking re-election at the March Ukraine and successive leaders years in prison after being their support in the case before after the ruling. Rights watchdog the Council 31 presidential vote and in have promised to tackle the accused of negligence for failing hugging her crying mother. “The essence of it is to deal of Europe and NGO Reporters opinion polls comes in second issue, without lasting success. to control her subordinates as Zolotova implied the accu- with Tut.by and independent Without Borders expressed to a comedian who plays the Anger with the political elite they logged in to access BelTA’s sations made against her were a media, to show who is in charge,” concern at the time of her Ukrainian head of state in a TV is partly behind the rise of Volo- wire. pretext for authorities to put she added. detention last year. comedy. dymyr Zelensky, a TV actor with “I was pleased that the sen- pressure on her popular The charges were brought Zolotova said she had not However, the report by the no political experience who is tence turned out to be softer than publication. against Zolotova despite the fact yet decided whether to appeal Bihus.info investigative jour- the frontrunner in the upcoming what the prosecutor had asked,” “This case is much deeper that BelTA makes its stories the ruling. nalism unit has accused presidential vote. 18 AMERICAS TUESDAY 5 MARCH 2019 81 document requests issued in Trump probe

REUTERS The White House spokeswoman said it had accuse Democrats of pursuing evidence, and follow the facts the National Enquirer. WASHINGTON received a request for documents from the an impeachment agenda as part where they lead with full trans- Trump maintains that his House Judiciary Committee, adding that, the of a political strategy to reclaim parency with the American campaign did not collude with A US congressional panel said- Counsel’s Office and White House officials will White House in 2020 election. people,” Nadler said. Russia and has repeatedly yesterday that it has served Comey was leading an inves- Some of those the committee attacked the investigation, document requests on 81 review it and respond at the appropriate time. tigation into Russia activities in is seeking documents from are Mueller and his staff on Twitter. government agencies, entities the 2016 US presidential election among the dozens indicted by The committee’s investi- and individuals as part of an “We have seen the damage offering pardons or tampering and possible collusion with Mueller. They include former gation will cast a wider net than investigation into alleged done to our democratic institu- with witnesses. Trump’s campaign when the Trump national security adviser Mueller, whose investigation is obstruction of justice and other tions in the two years that the “The House Judiciary Com- president fired him in May 2017. Michael Flynn, former campaign focused on specific crimes. The abuses by President Donald Congress refused to conduct mittee’s letter has been received The investigation was sub- chairman Paul Manafort, former panel also is looking at whether Trump and others. responsible oversight. Congress by the White House,” White sequently taken over by Special Trump adviser Roger Stone, and Trump has used the White House Among those targeted by the must provide a check on abuses House spokeswoman Sarah Counsel Robert Mueller, who is former attorney Michael Cohen. for personal enrichment in vio- Democratic-led House Judiciary of power,” House Judiciary Com- Sanders said. “The (White House) expected to end his investigation Also on the committee’s list lation of the Constitution’s emol- Committee are the president’s mittee Chairman Jerrold Nadler Counsel’s Office and relevant and report his findings to are others who worked on uments clause. sons Donald Trump Jr and Eric said in a statement. White House officials will review Attorney General William Barr Trump’s 2016 campaign or in the Several US congressional Trump, WikiLeaks, White House Among the committee’s aims it and respond at the appropriate in coming weeks. White House such as Hope Hicks, committees are pursuing inves- aide and Trump son-in-law Jared is determining whether Trump time.” Nadler said Mueller and Steve Bannon, Reince Priebus tigations focusing on Trump. Kushner, Trump Organization may have obstructed justice by Justice Department spokes- prosecutors conducting investi- and Sean Spicer; Rhona Graff, a Democrats said Cohen’s tes- chief financial officer Allen Weis- ousting perceived enemies at the woman Kerri Kupec said the gators in the Manhattan US long-time executive assistant at timony before the House Over- selberg, former US Attorney- Justice Department, such as department has received the Attorney’s Office are aware of the the Trump Organization; and sight Committee last week General Jeff Sessions and former former FBI Director James committee’s letter and is evalu- committee’s action. David Pecker, chief executive of directly implicated Trump in White House counsel Don Comey, and abused his presi- ating the request. “We will act quickly to gather American Media Inc, which pub- various crimes including cam- McGahn. dential power by possibly Republicans in Congress this information, assess the lishes the supermarket tabloid paign finance violations. Enough Senate votes to reject emergency order: McConnell

AP McConnell’s remarks in his to circumvent Congress and LOUISVILLE home state came after fellow funnel billions of extra dollars to Kentucky Sen Rand Paul became erecting his proposed border Senate Majority Leader Mitch the latest GOP lawmaker to say wall. McConnell acknowledged that he can’t go along with the White Asked if the Senate can try opponents of President Donald House on the emergency to amend the resolution, McCo- Trump’s declaration of a national declaration. nnell said senators have been emergency along the US-Mexico “I think what is clear in the consulting with the parliamen- border have enough votes in the Senate is there will be enough tarian about “what options there Republican-led Senate to prevail votes to pass the resolution of are, if any.” on a resolution aimed at blocking disapproval, which will then be McConnell acknowledged he the move. vetoed by the president and had counselled the president McConnell, who fell in line then, in all likelihood, the veto against making the declaration. behind Trump despite his own will be upheld in the House,” He said he’s worried that Trump’s misgivings about the declaration, McConnell said move would set a precedent for said Trump will veto the reso- The Democratic-led House future Democratic presidents to lution and that it’s likely to be recently voted to upend Trump’s make such a declaration for their Debris and a damaged house are seen following a tornado, in Beauregard, Alabama, yesterday. sustained in Congress. declaration, which he declared own purposes. Tornadoes in Alabama leave 23 dead Police union cancels Whitaker leaves Justice Department REUTERS their contents strewn on the Jay Jones said. “I’ve not seen this plan to raffle off BEAUREGARD ground, live television images level of destruction ever in my REUTERS General William Barr was showed. Pieces of homes hung experience in Lee County.” WASHINGTON sworn in and Whitaker stepped shotgun and rifle Rescuers in Alabama yesterday from trees that were not flat- One of the dead was a down from the top post to dug through the remnants of tened by the storm. 6-year-old child, Jones said. Matthew Whitaker, whose brief become a senior counsellor in AP homes and businesses destroyed More than 50 people were Two of the injured have sus- tenure as acting US attorney- the office of the associate BERGENFIELD by a pair of tornadoes that killed reported injured and the death tained critical injuries and at general was marred by accu- attorney-general. at least 23 people, including toll is expected to rise, author- least 20 people remain unac- sations that he might try to In one of his final acts as A New Jersey police union has children, the deadliest such ities said, which could make the counted for, Lee County Coroner interfere in a probe of President acting attorney general, cancelled a raffle that listed a storms to strike the US. storms deadlier than the tornado Bill Harris said. Donald Trump’s campaign, left Whitaker testified before the semi-automatic rifle and a The tornadoes ripped that tore through Moore, On Twitter on Sunday, US his Justice Department (DOJ) House Judiciary Committee shotgun as prizes. through the state’s Lee County Oklahoma, in 2013, killing 24 President Donald Trump urged job over the weekend, a where combative Democratic Bergenfield police said a on Sunday with winds of at least people. affected residents of Alabama department spokeswoman lawmakers pressed him on state statute bars giving away 240 kph, at the midpoint of the “It looks almost as if and other areas to be “careful confirmed. whether he had tried to weapons as prizes and the five-step Enhanced Fujita scale, someone took a giant knife and and safe.” Whitaker’s last day at the interfere with Special Counsel event has been cancelled. which meteorologists use to just scraped the ground. There “To the families and friends department was on Saturday, Robert Mueller’s investigation NorthJersey.com reports measure tornado strength. are slabs where homes formerly of the victims, and to the injured, the spokeswoman said. into whether Trump’s cam- Det. Dave Tortora, president of Mobile homes were tossed stood, debris everywhere, trees God bless you all!” the president In mid-February, Attorney paign colluded with Russia. Bergenfield PBA Local 309, said on their sides and ripped open, are snapped,” Lee County Sheriff tweeted. on Thursday the firearms raffle was a way to help his 46-member organisation raise money. Opposition leader Bergenfield police said- anyone who purchased tickets will be refunded. returns to Venezuela The Bergen County Prose- cutor’s Office became involved after a NorthJersey.com in affront to Maduro reporter was seeking comment about the legality of the raffle. AP than ever. We’ll continue pro- Tortora apologizsed in his CARACAS testing, we’ll continue mobi- statement Thursday. lizing,” said Guaido, who had The union was offering two Declaring he knows he is at risk, ignored an official ban on guns as a raffle prize to help Venezuelan opposition leader foreign travel to leave Vene- fund a scholarship for Bergen- Juan Guaido returned yesterday zuela, first for Colombia and field High School students. to his homeland to renew his then elsewhere in Latin America. campaign to topple the Guaido has called for US actor Luke government of President Nicolas nationwide demonstrations Maduro. coinciding with his arrival. Perry dead at 52 Guaido landed at the coun- Thousands of supporters heeded try’s main airport, about 40km the call, peacefully gathering at REUTERS from Caracas, the capital. He a Caracas plaza and in other LOS ANGELES said in a tweet that he success- locations around the country. fully passed through immi- Some people carried national American actor Luke Perry, the gration checks. flags. former star of 1990s television “We know the risks that we Guaido, who has declared series “Beverly Hills, 90210,” US First Lady Melania Trump visits the Dove School of Discovery during a two-day, three-state tour face, that’s never stopped us,” himself interim president of died yesterday, aged 52, after promoting her “Be Best” initiative in Tulsa, Oklahoma, yesterday. the 35-year-old leader of Ven- Venezuela, said the goal of his suffering a massive stroke last ezuela’s National Assembly said return is to intensify internal week, his publicist said. as he moved through a crowd pressure on Maduro. Besides “Actor Luke Perry, 52, that included several Western Colombia, Guaido visited Brazil, Melania begins 3-state ‘Be Best’ tour passed away today after suf- ambassadors. Argentina and Ecuador over the fering a massive stroke,” pub- The United States and about past week. All are countries that AP school that the White House says tour today in Las Vegas by par- licist Arnold Robinson said in a 50 other countries have recog- support his campaign against TULSA incorporates character edu- ticipating in a town hall on the statement. nised Guaido as Venezuela’s Maduro. cation in its curriculum. opioid crisis. “The family appreciates the legitimate leader, arguing that US National Security Adviser Melania Trump is in Oklahoma She also visited Seattle-area It’s her first solo domestic outpouring of support and last year’s re-election of Maduro John Bolton tweeted that threats to open a three-state tour to tech company later yesterday to overnight trip in her official prayers that have been was illegitimate because popular or action by Maduro’s gov- highlight all three components learn about programmes and capacity. extended to Luke from around opposition candidates were ernment against Guaido “will be of her “Be Best” childhood initi- apps designed to teach children The first lady launched “Be the world, and respectfully barred from running. met with a strong and significant ative. how to be safe online, and about Best” last May to focus on child request privacy in this time of “The regime must under- response from the United States The first lady yesterday technology to help children with well-being, online safety and great mourning. No further stand, the dictatorship must and the international visited the Dove School of Dis- disabilities. bullying prevention, and opioid details will be released at this understand... that we’re stronger community.” covery, a Tulsa elementary Mrs. Trump concludes the abuse. time,” the statement added. TUESDAY 5 MARCH 2019 HOME 19 GMC inaugurates new state-of-the-art showroom in Qatar THE PENINSULA sub-brand of GMC a unique experience DOHA when coming to our showroom.” Celebrating the new showroom were GMC, in partnership with their senior executives from General Motors exclusive distributor in Qatar, Mannai who were present at the opening cer- Trading, opened the doors of its first- emony, including Alan Batey, President ever 3S (Sales, Service and Spare parts) of GM North America & Chevy Global facility in the country. The retail space, Brand Chief; John Roth, President and conveniently located in the capital city Managing Director of GM Middle East & of Doha, features the brand’s upgraded Africa; Chris Karaboyas, Senior Business design, 2,231 sqm of customer envi- Planning Manager; John Stapleton, CFO ronment including a dedicated Denali of GM North America; and Ofori Agboka, corner. The opening also saw the debut Executive Director, Human Resources of the all-new GMC Sierra. for North America, Africa and Middle As part of a multi-million-dollar East Operations. investment, GMC’s first-of-its-kind fully The game-changing all-new 2019 Khalid Ahmed Al Mannai (second right), Vice-Chairman, Mannai Corporation; with Alekh Grewal (left), Group Chief Executive integrated 3S facility will offer customers Sierra pickup truck, which will be show- Officer & Director; and other officials during the display of Cadillac XT6 at Cadillac’s new showroom in Industrial Area, a complete and premium experience cased at the new facility, has been taken yesterday. PIC: ABDUL BASIT/ THE PENINSULA with sales, service and spare parts all to the next level with a complete redesign under the one roof and accommodate featuring enhanced exterior design, all- up to 26 new models of the brand’s latest terrain capability and luxurious levels Mannai celebrates launch of new showroom premium SUV line up. of refinement. Distinguished by bold Mohamed Helmy, Group General design and segment-leading technol- Manager, Mannai Trading Company, ogies, the Denali line up of the next gen- with region’s first display of Cadillac XT6 said: “GMC is an iconic brand in the eration Sierra once again redefines the country, with a long and rich history premium pickup, while advancing THE PENINSULA Manager, Mannai Automotive, com- a luxurious, adaptable and connected in the country. We are proud to offer Denali’s legacy as the pinnacle of GMC DOHA mented, “The launch of the new Cadillac cabin, complemented by responsive han- our GMC customers a truly first-class design, capability and refinement. showroom marks an important mile- dling and a comprehensive suite of safety experience that the brand is known Outside of North America, the Cadillac Qatar, represented by Mannai stone for the brand in the region. We are features. for, in addition to premium after-care Middle East is the only region GMC Trading Company, has redefined the proud to be taking the lead in enhancing The Cadillac XT4 models are driven services. Going a step further we have exports to, cementing the significance luxury customer experience with the the Cadillac customer experience in the by an all-new Cadillac 2.0L Turbo also designed a dedicated Denali area of the Arab countries in shaping the opening of its new showroom which Middle East, specifically in Qatar. The engine, producing an SAE-certified giving customers of the premium heritage of the GMC brand. follows Cadillac’s latest corporate new Cadillac facility is the perfect home output of 237 hp (177 kW). Coupled with identity, with multi-million investments. for the highly-anticipated all-new a nine-speed automatic transmission To celebrate the brand’s first-of-its- Cadillac lineup, that is led by the first- with next-generation Electronic Pre- kind facility in the region, Cadillac ever XT4.” cision Shift, the new engine features new revealed the all-new XT6 which marks Underscoring this milestone for the efficiency-enhancing technologies its first appearance in the Middle East. company, top executives from the including Active Fuel Management (cyl- In line with the global brand direction American automotive giant were present inder deactivation). in upgrading its customer experience, at the showroom opening ceremony. The new Cadillac showroom is now the new 2500 square-meter Cadillac Including Alan Batey, President of GM open to customers from 8.30 am to 8.30 facility houses a number of amenities North America & Chevy Global Brand pm, 6 days a week and is located at E including the first built-in Service Lane Chief, Chris Karaboyas, Senior Business Industrial Street. and Virtual Reality Room. The showroom Planning Manager, John Stapleton, CFO “Our investment in this new facility is located in E Industrial Street and can of GM North America, John Roth, Pres- shows our unwavering commitment to accommodate up to 27 vehicles. ident and Managing Director of GM the brand and our customers in Qatar The first-ever XT4 has also made its Middle East & Africa, and Christian and is a testament to our belief in the local debut, and is now on sale, allowing Soemmer, Managing Director of Cadillac brand and the direction it is going. With customers to be one of the first to own Middle East. our customer’s convenience and trust in the all-new compact SUV which is tai- As Cadillac’s largest crossover, the mind, we know they expect the very best lored for the next generation of luxury 2020 XT6 has been created to make the from us and this is what we aim to give New GMC Sierra launch at GMC showroom in Industrial Area, yesterday. customers. most of passengers’ time on the road with with our new showroom and service PIC: ABDUL BASIT / THE PENINSULA Mohamed Helmy; Group General the all-new three-row model boasting center,” added Mohamed Helmy. QRCS and KRCS delegation hand shelters to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh

THE PENINSULA The three partners humanitarian cooperation in DOHA commended the best interest of the Rohingya the tripartite refugees, which culminated in A joint high-profile delegation this first-of-its-kind project. from Qatar Red Crescent humanitarian Following the handover of Society (QRCS) and Kuwait Red cooperation in the the first batch of shelters, the Crescent Society (KRCS) has best interest of the delegation took a tour in the visited Bangladesh to review Friendship Village and talked humanitarian operations for Rohingya refugees, to the beneficiaries about their the Rohingya refugees and which culminated in impression and needs. hand over newly built shelters this first-of-its-kind The first phase of the to refugee camp inhabitants. project. project involved building 55 QRCS was represented by shelters and four public Ali bin Hassan Al-Hammadi, latrines; installing six solar Secretary-General, and Dr. ceremony was attended by Adel lampposts; carrying out site Faouzi Oussedik, Head of Inter- Mohammed A.H. Hayat, Ambas- development, shelter sup- national Relations. sador of Kuwait to Bangladesh; ports, and passageway KRCS’s delegation was Md. Feroz Salah Uddin, Sec- clearing; and distributing QRCS and KRCS delegation pose for a group photo at a Rohingya refugee camp. headed by the organization’s retary-General of Bangladesh nonfood items (NFIs) including President, Dr. Hilal Mussaed Red Crescent Society (BDRCS); cooking fuel, kitchenware, Al-Sayer. and staff of BDRCS and QRCS’s solar lamps, rugs, umbrellas, where they spent some time which is funded by Qatar’s Min- Camp No. 4. Funded by Qatar First, the delegation went representation mission in and seeds. communicating with the istry of Awqaf and Islamic Fund for Development (QFFD), to Camp No. 14 to hand the new Bangladesh. After that, QRCS’s dele- patients and doctors. Then, they Affairs. the clinic serves both the shelters over to some Rohingya The three partners com- gation headed for the BDRCS visited QRCS’s primary health The visit concluded with a Rohingya refugees and the host families. The handover mended the tripartite primary health care complex, care center at Camp No. 19, quick tour at QRCS’s clinic at community.

Doha British School to introduce Year 12 & Chef Nobu demonstrates culinary Year 13 programmes magic at QIFF 2019 Chef’s Table

THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA tasting experience through QIFF DOHA DOHA Chef’s Table. More sessions are available with world acclaimed Doha British School, accredited World-renowned Japanese chefs including US chef Richard by British Schools Overseas as celebrity chef and restaurateur Sandoval at Toro Toro Res- ‘outstanding’, is embarking on Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa taurant, Marsa Malaz Kem- a new stage in its ongoing (pictured) demonstrated his pinski, Francesco Scala and growth and development. master skills to the participants Shane Macneill at Novikov From September 2019, of the Chef’s Table interactive Doha, at Katara, Chef Eric Doha British School will add a offering a range of vocational Universities worldwide. cooking and tasting session held Lanlard at Astor Grill, ST. Regis range of ten GCE A-Levels to its subjects from the Business and “DBS is the only school in on Sunday in partnership with Hotel, and Jason Atherton at portfolio of pre-university qual- Technology in Education Qatar that offers such a range the Four Seasons Doha as part Pearl Social Restaurant, Marsa ifications. A Levels are the ‘gold Council. of courses post-16. We are con- of this year’s Qatar International Malaz Kempinski. standard’ of the British qualifi- These are cutting-edge, fident of our high standards, Food Festival (QIFF) events. There are 12 to 20 seats cation structure. A Levels will flexible qualifications recently and our reputation for educa- The star chef shared tech- Select 5-star restaurants available per table and the per complement the qualifications developed in the United tional excellence can compare niques and tips related to the across Doha are offering diners person cost ranges from QR500 already on offer, including the Kingdom to make student ready with schools anywhere in the art of sushi making and, also, a unique opportunity to join to QR1,000; bookings can be IB Diploma and AS-Levels. for the world of work. They also world,” said Terry McGuire, DBS signed copies of his books for internationally-acclaimed chefs made through the restaurant’s/ In addition, DBS will be allow entry to more than 339 Principal. his fans. for an interactive cooking and hotels’ reservation platforms. 20 MORNING BREAK TUESDAY 5 MARCH 2019

PRAYER TIMINGS FAJR 04. 38 AM QA to unveil enhanced Economy Class at ITB Berlin SHOROOK 05. 54 AM

THE PENINSULA ZUHR MAGHRIB 05. 40 PM Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Akbar Al Baker, revolutionary Business Class seat, 11. 45 AM DOHA ASR 03. 07 PM ISHA 07. 10 PM said: “This year we are delighted to reveal our newly- Qsuite, which features the world’s enhanced Economy Class product at ITB, a further first-ever double bed in Business Qatar Airways (QA) announced Class. Qsuite takes cabin innovation WEATHER TODAY yesterday that it will unveil its testament to our dedication to improving passenger to a whole new level with its quad enhanced Economy Class product at comfort at every level. We look forward to welcoming configuration, providing passengers ITB Berlin 2019, the world’s largest guests and visitors to our stand, where they can even more choice, privacy and per- travel and tourism trade show, experience our world-class products and hospitality sonalisation. Since its launch, Qsuite yesterday. has won a host of awards, including The reveal, to take place at Qatar firsthand.” the prestigious Skytrax awards in Airways’ exhibition stand on the first 2018 for ‘World’s Best Business Class’ day of the show, will be followed by There will be an opportunity for vis- and to redefining the customer expe- and ‘Best Business Class Seat’. a press conference at 12pm, at which itors to interact with the airline’s rience. This year we are delighted to ITB Berlin 2019 will showcase a further details on the airline’s exciting latest products and to experience reveal our newly-enhanced Economy range of travel exhibitors from more plans for 2019 will be shared with Qatar Airways’ world-renowned five- Class product at ITB, a further tes- than 180 countries and five conti- global media. star hospitality. tament to our dedication to improving nents, providing more than 160,000 Conference delegates and visitors Akbar Al Baker, QA’s Group Chief passenger comfort at every level. We visitors with the latest information to ITB 2019 are invited to the airline’s Executive, said: “It is always a look forward to welcoming guests on new products, services and facil- stand to see for themselves the inno- pleasure to come to ITB Berlin, and and visitors to our stand, where they ities in the tourism industry. QA wel- vative technology and design that this year is no different. QA is known can experience our world-class comes all guests to ITB to visit its Qatar Airways has brought to its by travellers around the world for its products and hospitality firsthand.” exhibition pavilion in Hall 2.2, stand enhanced Economy Class product. continued commitment to innovation At ITB 2017, QA launched its 207 and 208 from March 6-10. Mada Center graduates AT professionals DFI to host more than 100 THE PENINSULA scope of work agreement signed with Medicine, said: “I salute Mada Center for o o DOHA Sidra Medicine, which aims to build the its team which is dedicated to support global experts 16 C 26 C capacity of the Sidra Medicine staff in children with disabilities. This part- Minimum Maximum Mada Center yesterday held a gradu- AT and access to ICT through training nership is important for us and for ation ceremony for the participants of and the establishment of an AT station children who are eager to communicate at Qumra 2019 the Capacity Building Program for Super to support persons with disabilities. with their families. We are waiting for Mild daytime and cold by night. Users in Assistive Technology (AT) and Maha Al Mansouri, CEO of Mada, the impact of what our specialists have THE PENINSULA ICT Accessibility, bringing the number presented on the Mada Program for learned in this programme on children DOHA

HIGH TIDE 04:27 – 15:37 LOW TIDE 12:08 –22:40 of Super Users graduating from this Super Users Capacity Building in ICT and in Sidra.” Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department programme in various sectors to 74. AT. Maha Al Mansouri, Dr Abdullah Al Qumra 2019, presented by the Mada has built capabilities for AT “Mada Center is building the capa- Kaabi, and Dr Emad Deeb, Director of Doha Film Institute (DFI) from professionals from stakeholders through bilities of our strategic partners through The Learning Center at Qatar Foun- March 15 to 20, will host more the launch of the AT Super Users the Super Users intensive training pro- dation, recognised graduates from both than 100 international film Program to support persons with gramme on the basics and use of sides and presented graduation certifi- industry experts who will disabilities. assistive technology in support of people cates of the programme. mentor 36 Qumra projects, Mada’s efforts in this field are part with disabilities and the elderly,” she The CEO of Mada also recognised the mostly helmed by first- and of the centre’s commitment to its strategy said. first Super User from Qatar Rehabili- second-time filmmakers. of partnership with relevant stake- Dr. Abdulla Al Kaabi, the Executive tation Center at HMC to pass the ATP Along with the Qumra holders and the implementation of the Vice Chief Medical Officer of Sidra test. Masters, the six-day event will welcome accomplished film directors, producers, film fes- tival directors, programmers, consultants, fund managers, sales professionals, acquisition heads, script experts, distrib- utors, video on demand (VoD) platforms and broadcasters, and other industry professionals. 2019 Qumra industry dele- gates includes representation from more than 15 leading inter- national film festivals, and exec- utives from some of the world’s leading film production com- panies, sales and distribution companies, and cultural and funding agencies International delegates come from countries ranging from Chile to Italy, Canada to Japan and the UK to the USA among others. Regional dele- gates come from Jordan, The graduates of Mada Center’s Capacity Building Program for Super Users in Assistive Technology (AT) and ICT Accessibility Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, with officials during the graduation ceremony. Tukey, Syria and Tunisia. The Qumra industry pro- gramme focuses on 36 projects from 19 countries at various Shangri-La Hotel, Doha achieves Forbes Travel Guide ‘Recommended’ rating stages of development. “We are pleased to once THE PENINSULA largest private diversified our guests with warm Asian hos- Travel Guide 2019 Star Awards. value to our assets through pro- again host the world’s leading DOHA industry groups, the hotel’s plush pitality and our team’s passion This award recognises the quality viding the highest quality film industry professionals at accommodation and lifestyle to deliver service from the heart of Shangri-La Hotel, Doha as a products and services. We look our Qumra 2019,” said Fatma The Shangri-La Hotel, Doha has facilities deliver a unique blend that creates unforgettable expe- world-class luxury hotel and also forward to continuing our part- Hassan Alremaihi, Chief Exec- achieved the “Recommended” of Asian and Qatari hospitality riences,” said TJ Joulak, General a strong endorsement of ARTIC’s nership with Shangri-La Hotels utive Officer of the DFI. “The rating in the 2019 edition of the and are complemented by an Manager, Shangri La Hotel, Doha. investment strategy which is and Resorts and achieving even tools that delegates provide Forbes Travel Guide. exciting collection of dining and Tarek M El Sayed, Managing focused on asset quality, location greater results in the future.” elevate the creative and tech- Developed by Al Rayyan entertainment venues. Director and CEO, Al Rayyan and architectural design.” The Forbes Travel Guide nical standards of film pro- Tourism Investment Company “We are honoured to be part Tourism Investment Company “The award also reflects the rates properties in 76 countries duction in Qatar and the region, W.L.L. (ARTIC), the international of the Forbes Travel Guide 2019 ‘ARTIC’, said: ‘We are delighted success of our strategy of part- throughout the Americas, and hones filmmakers’ ability hospitality subsidiary of Al Faisal winners’ list. The award reaf- that our hotel is among the nering with leading international Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and to identify and connect to local Holding Company, one of Qatar’s firms our commitment to delight winners of the prestigious Forbes operators that are able to add the Middle East. and global audiences.” Campaign backs Qatar’s commitment towards right to education

THE PENINSULA support the right to education at the learning,” said Al Kuwari. “We get DOHA national and international levels,” said together today with a number of offi- Aisha Tawar Al Kuwari, Head of the cials and intellectuals to discuss with The Qatar National Commission for Right to Education Campaign. them the status and rights of the dis- Education, Culture and Science, in She said that as Unesco announced abled persons.” cooperation with the Shafallah Center the campaign, the Qatar National Com- She said that the universal decla- for Persons with Disabilities, has mission for Education, Culture and ration on the rights of the disabled organised an awareness lecture on the Science initiated by setting up a com- persons, issued by the United Nations right to education campaign. mittee comprising members from the General Assembly, affirms a set of basic The campaign was launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Edu- rights that the disabled have the right Qatar National Commission for Edu- cation Above All Foundation, the Min- to enjoy without discrimination because cation, Culture and Science in part- istry of Education and Higher Edu- of disability, Which affirms their right nership with the Unesco Office in Doha, cation, the National Human Rights to enjoy the full civil, political, economic the National Human Rights Committee Committee and the Unesco Regional and social rights enjoyed by other (NHRC), Education Above All Foun- Office in Doha. human beings, and in no way discrim- dation the Ministry of Education and “The committee was assigned to inate and respect for their human Higher Education and the Ministry of make planning, supervise and carry out dignity. Foreign Affairs. the activities and events held under the “The State of Qatar spares no effort “The global campaign for the right campaign for students, parents, asso- to integrate people with disabilities into to education, which we are currently ciations and civil society organizations, any form of disability. It has provided discussing, comes within the framework and all parts of society, as each person them with all the means to obtain their Educational experts during the event organised by the Qatar National Commission of the efforts of the State of Qatar to has the right to education and lifelong right to education,” said Al Kuwari. for Education, Culture and Science as part of the right to education campaign.